Thirty Four confirmed New World screwworm infestations: Texas tracker and what you need to know
Texas Public Radio
July 9, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed 34 New World screwworm infestations, including 33 in Texas and one in New Mexico, as federal and state officials continue working to contain the flesh-eating parasite.
The newest Texas case was confirmed in Brewster County, marking the first detection in the state's largest county by land area, home to extensive ranchland and abundant wildlife.
This tracker is updated as new infestations are confirmed. It also answers common questions about how infestations begin, which animals are at risk and what Texans should know.
[Also Crockett County reported another cattle case.]
See also:
Case #35 reported in Crockett Co. Texas goat.
USDA APHIS NWS dashboard
July 12, 2026
MO Updates Movement Requirements for Animals from New World Screwworm-Adjacent Surveillance Zones
MorningAgClips.com
July 12, 2026
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Today [July 10, 2026], the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) and State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg, DVM updated animal movement requirements for animals coming into Missouri from New World Screwworm (NWS) adjacent surveillance zones, regardless of movement purpose. Effective immediately, animals from NWS-adjacent surveillance zones require additional documentation. All other movement restrictions remain the same.
Animal movement into Missouri:
Any domestic animal originating from a state with a New World Screwworm-infested zone, but not within an infested zone or an adjacent surveillance zone, can enter Missouri with a Certificate of Veterinary inspection (CVI) completed within 14 days of entry that includes the statement "All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation and have not originated from or transited through a NWS infested zone." Non-electronic CVIs require an entry permit from MDA.
Any domestic animal originating from within a New World Screwworm-adjacent surveillance zone can enter Missouri with a CVI completed within 5 days of entry that includes the statement "All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation and have not originated from or transited through a NWS infested zone." This includes all domestic animals entering Missouri for any reason, including those moving to a Livestock Market or to slaughter. Non-electronic CVIs require an entry permit issued from MDA.
Any domestic animal originating from within a New World Screwworm-infested zone must meet the movement requirements for the state of origin and obtain an entry permit from the Missouri State Veterinarian's office and a CVI that includes the statement "All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation." Documentation authorizing movement outside of the infested zone must be provided prior to permitting.
2. Bird Flu Forces Utah County to Declare Emergency, Dairy Farms Face Severe Milk Production Loss
The declaration unlocks state and federal support as officials work to contain the virus and reduce its economic impact on dairy producers.
By Jeanna Francis
Intl. Business Times
July 11, 2026
A Utah county has declared a local state of emergency after an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, caused severe milk production losses and triggered quarantines affecting about half of its dairy farms and dairy cattle.
Box Elder County commissioners approved the emergency declaration on Thursday after a dairy farm tested positive for the H5N1 virus. County officials said the positive sample, first reported on June 25, led to mandatory quarantine measures and a monitoring period that could last up to 90 days, disrupting dairy operations across one of Utah's key agricultural regions.
The emergency order is designed to unlock state and federal resources as local officials respond to the outbreak, which they say has exceeded the county's capacity. It also comes as bird flu continues to spread among dairy cattle in parts of the United States, highlighting the virus's growing impact beyond poultry and raising fresh concerns about its economic consequences for farmers.
3. How One Feedlot Veterinarian Thinks About BRD
Dr. Paige Schmidt-Rios explains why bovine respiratory disease remains one of cattle medicine's most complex challenges - and why better information, not necessarily more treatments, may be the future.
By Andrea Bedford
Feedstuffs
July 9, 2026
If you ask Dr. Paige Schmidt-Rios about bovine respiratory disease, she doesn't start by talking about antibiotics or vaccines.
She starts by talking about complexity.
"BRD, bovine respiratory disease, is kind of a blanket term for any type of pneumonia we're seeing in cattle, primarily in feedlot or confined feeding settings," Schmidt-Rios says. "It's a really challenging disease because it incorporates so many different bacteria and viruses. All of these bacteria and viruses are already in the environment or the upper respiratory tract, but it takes environmental factors, host factors and pathogen changes for them to overcome the immune system and cause disease."
That distinction is more than semantics. Throughout our conversation, Schmidt-Rios repeatedly returned to the idea that BRD isn't a single disease with a predictable course. It's a syndrome shaped by the interaction of pathogens, the calf's immune system and the environment surrounding it. Two animals standing side by side may both be diagnosed with BRD, yet arrive there through very different pathways. Understanding that complexity, she says, is the starting point for making good clinical decisions.
Full text: https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/how-one-feedlot-veterinarian-thinks-about-brd
4. UF Vet Med hosts 18th annual "Healthy Horses" conference, spotlighting research and threats like New World screwworm [FL]
By Laura Iglesias
WCJB.com
July 10, 2026
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - For the 18th year, the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is bringing the equine community together for its "Healthy Horses" conference, an event focused on the latest research and practical guidance for horse owners and industry professionals.
Organizers say North Central Florida is home to one of the most active equine industries in the country, making the region a natural hub for education and collaboration. The annual conference is designed to unite people with a shared goal: keeping horses healthy.
This year's sessions are centered on what prospective owners should know before buying a horse, including why a pre-purchase exam matters and how to safely integrate a new horse into an existing farm.
Many attendees come to stay current on best practices-whether they work directly in the industry or simply want to be better caretakers. Volunteer Sydney Lemmerman, who helps at Retirement Home for Horses, Inc. in Alachua, said the conference is an opportunity to learn how to recognize early warning signs of illness and take action sooner.
5. USDA trims pork production estimates for 2026 and 2027
The average barrow and gilt price has dropped to $64.82 per hundredweight, $1.81 less than last month.
By Ann Hess
National Hog Farmer
July 10, 2026
The USDA has increased its 2026 red meat and poultry production forecast marginally to 108.555 billion pounds, as higher broiler output is expected to offset reduced red meat production. According to the July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released Friday, pork production has been lowered slightly to 27.955 billion pounds, as a diminished second quarter slaughter should be more than offset by heavier dressed weights.
For 2027, total red meat and poultry production is projected to reach 109 billion pounds. Pork production has been reduced 28.135 billion pounds, due to a smaller expected pig crop following the June Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. However, the deduction in expected slaughter should be compensated by heavier dressed weights.
The average barrow and gilt price has dropped 2.7% to $64.82 per hundredweight, $1.81 less than last month. The WASDE is projecting the average barrow and gilt price to be $65/cwt in 2027, unchanged from May's estimate.
Full text: https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/market-news/usda-trims-pork-production-estimates-for-2026-and-2027
6. Florida: 3rd Eastern Equine Encephalitis case of the year reported in Osceola County horse
By Robert Herriman
Outbreak News Today
July 10, 2026
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) reports an additional case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse in the state.
The case is a horse in a private facility in Osceola County.
This is the third EEE case of the year in Florida (Volusia, Seminole and Osceola).
Full text: https://outbreaknewstoday.substack.com/p/florida-3rd-eastern-equine-encephalitis