Overview

• The New World screwworm has been detected within roughly 370–400 miles of the Texas border, prompting the USDA to pause livestock imports from Mexico since July 11.
• Officials are releasing over 100 million sterilized male flies each week using the sterile insect technique to suppress the advancing parasite.
• Texas and federal facilities funded by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will produce sterile flies but are projected to meet only about 20 percent of the historical weekly release rates needed.
• Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn plans to introduce a $300 million amendment to fund new fly-rearing infrastructure and bolster sterile-fly production capacity.
• With no approved treatment for screwworm infestation, federal and state agencies are intensifying border surveillance and binational cooperation to protect the cattle industry.