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Screwworm Outbreak in Texas District Highlights Congressional Vacancy

Screwworm Outbreak in Texas District Highlights Congressional Vacancy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported the first case of New World screwworm in Zavala County, Texas, posing a significant threat to the local cattle industry. The outbreak has led to a quarantine zone, but the affected 23rd Congressional District currently lacks representation due to the resignation of Rep. Tony Gonzales. This vacancy complicates communication between ranchers and federal agencies, as the district is a major player in cattle sales. The absence of a congressional representative is seen as a barrier to effective advocacy and information dissemination during this crisis.
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Screwworm Outbreak in Texas District Lacks Congressional Representation, Impacting Ranchers

Screwworm Outbreak in Texas District Lacks Congressional Representation, Impacting Ranchers

A screwworm outbreak has been detected in Texas' 23rd Congressional District, affecting the local cattle industry. The district, which is currently without a congressional representative following the resignation of Rep. Tony Gonzales, is facing challenges in addressing the outbreak. The screwworm, a parasitic fly, poses a significant threat to livestock, prompting a coordinated response from federal and state agencies. However, the absence of a congressional representative complicates communication and advocacy efforts for local ranchers. The district, which is a major cattle producer, is in urgent need of representation to facilitate better coordination and response to the outbreak.
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USDA Confirms New Screwworm Cases in Texas and New Mexico, Threatening Livestock

USDA Confirms New Screwworm Cases in Texas and New Mexico, Threatening Livestock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed three new cases of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, affecting livestock in Texas and New Mexico. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported that two cases were found in Texas, involving a calf in La Salle County and a goat in Gillespie County. Additionally, a case initially reported in a dog in Andrews County, Texas, has been reclassified as the first case detected in New Mexico. The screwworm larvae infest warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds and significant economic losses. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has escalated the state's emergency response to combat the spread of the parasite. The resurgence of screwworm poses a threat to Texas's cattle industry, which is already facing challenges due to the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports.
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Texas Governor Activates Emergency Response for Screwworm Outbreak

Texas Governor Activates Emergency Response for Screwworm Outbreak

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has activated the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II in response to a screwworm outbreak affecting livestock. The New World screwworm, a parasite that feeds on living tissue, poses a significant threat to cattle production in Texas, the nation's top cattle-producing state. The outbreak has already resulted in five confirmed cases, including four in Texas and one in New Mexico. The emergency response involves deploying state resources to detect and contain the parasite, with a focus on protecting livestock and preventing disruptions to the U.S. food supply. The situation is being closely monitored by state and federal agencies, with efforts to prevent the spread of the parasite to other states.
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USDA Battles Screwworm Parasite Threatening American Cattle Industry

USDA Battles Screwworm Parasite Threatening American Cattle Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is intensifying efforts to combat the resurgence of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that poses a significant threat to American cattle. The screwworm, which was previously eradicated in the U.S., has reappeared, with larvae recently discovered in Texas and New Mexico. The USDA has been using a sterile-insect technique since the 1950s to control the screwworm population, involving the release of sterilized flies to reduce the breeding population. However, the current production capacity for sterile flies is limited, with only a Panamanian facility capable of producing 100 million flies weekly. The resurgence of the screwworm is attributed to factors such as illegal cattle trafficking, which has facilitated the parasite's northward spread from Central America.
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USDA Confirms New World Screwworm Cases in Texas and New Mexico, Threatening Cattle Industry

USDA Confirms New World Screwworm Cases in Texas and New Mexico, Threatening Cattle Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed three new cases of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, in Texas and New Mexico. This brings the total number of cases to five, including three calves and a goat in Texas, and a dog in New Mexico. The screwworm, a fly larva that consumes living flesh, poses a significant threat to the cattle industry. The USDA has implemented a quarantine zone around affected areas to prevent further spread. The parasite was previously contained at the southern end of Panama through a program that released sterile male flies to control the population. The recent cases have prompted increased vigilance and inspections in the affected regions.
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USDA Secretary Rollins Criticizes Texas Ag Chief Amid Screwworm Threat

USDA Secretary Rollins Criticizes Texas Ag Chief Amid Screwworm Threat

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has publicly criticized Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller over his handling of the New World Screwworm outbreak in Texas. Miller, who recently lost a Republican primary despite President Trump's endorsement, has accused the USDA of a slow response to the pest threat. He advocates for the use of the Screwworm Adult Suppression System (SWASS), a method combining insecticides with sterile flies, which he claims the USDA has ignored. Rollins dismissed Miller's comments as 'unserious' and 'dangerous,' particularly his suggestion that ranchers might avoid reporting cases to prevent government-imposed quarantines. The dispute highlights tensions between federal and state agricultural leaders as they work to contain the outbreak, which threatens cattle herds and could impact beef prices.
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Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Threatens Beef Prices Amidst Record Highs

Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Threatens Beef Prices Amidst Record Highs

Screwworm Outbreak in Texas Threatens Beef Prices Amidst Record Highs
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A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are found

A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are found

Three more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed, including one outside Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping a pest that could potentially devastate the nation’s cattle industry
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Texas Governor Activates Emergency Response to Screwworm Outbreak Threatening Livestock

Texas Governor Activates Emergency Response to Screwworm Outbreak Threatening Livestock

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has initiated an 'escalated response' to the reemergence of the New World screwworm in the state. This action includes activating the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II and mobilizing all available state resources to contain the parasitic pest. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is coordinating a multi-agency response involving animal health, agriculture, and public health officials to prevent further spread. The New World screwworm poses a significant threat to livestock, particularly cattle, and could disrupt supply chains if infestations spread. Texas, being the top cattle-producing state in the U.S., faces potential tightening of supply and increased beef prices, which could ripple through the national food distribution systems.
USA Today USA Today
New World screwworm cases escalate Texas response, disaster aid

New World screwworm cases escalate Texas response, disaster aid

Texas has expanded its screwworm quarantine with Gov. Greg Abbott issuing a disaster declaration for the affected counties.
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Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says

Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says

Two more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed in Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping the spread of a pest that potentially could devestate the nation’s cattle industry