International News: Texas escalates response as New World Screwworm confirmed in state
By Zoila Palma: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an escalated response to the reemergence of the New World screwworm, activating the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II and directing all available state resources toward containing the parasitic pest. The move places the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) in charge of coordinating a […] The post International News: Texas escalates response as New World Screwworm confirmed in state appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Zoila Palma: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an escalated response to the reemergence of the New World screwworm, activating the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II and directing all available state resources toward containing the parasitic pest.
The move places the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) in charge of coordinating a multi-agency response involving animal health, agriculture and public health officials, Newsweek reports.
State authorities are working to prevent the further spread of the screwworm, which was recently confirmed in Texas after advancing northward through the Americas.
Officials have warned that the pest poses a significant threat to livestock production, particularly cattle, and could lead to quarantines or restrictions on animal movement if infestations expand.
Because Texas is the largest cattle-producing state in the United States, officials say a widespread outbreak could impact beef supplies and contribute to higher prices nationwide.
Concerns have also been raised about broader effects on food distribution systems, especially if livestock losses occur alongside rising transportation and fuel costs.
The current threat stems from a larger outbreak that has spread steadily north from parts of South America and the Caribbean.
Since 2023, the parasite has moved through Central America and into Mexico, with recent detections in northern Mexico bringing it close to the U.S. border before it was confirmed in Texas in June 2026.
The post International News: Texas escalates response as New World Screwworm confirmed in state appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
