Crockett County Reports 4 New Screwworm Cases in One Day; U.S. Total Rises to 25

CROCKETT COUNTY, TX — Four new cases of New World screwworm were confirmed in domestic sheep in Crockett County on Wednesday, June 24 — one of six new detections reported across Texas that day as the U.S. total rose to 25. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the Crockett cases along with one cattle case in Medina County — the county’s first — and one sheep case in Edwards County. These marked the highest number of new cases confirmed in a single day since the first detection June 3. 

Edwards County now leads the state with six cases. Crockett County’s total stands at five. Texas has recorded 24 cases overall — 22 active and two inactive — and remains the only state with active cases. The national total is 25, including one inactive case in New Mexico. 

The Texas Animal Health Commission has placed portions of 18 counties under quarantine to restrict animal movement and help contain the spread. The measures took effect on staggered dates beginning June 3 and will remain in place until lifted by the commission. 

Crockett County falls under Zone 7 (effective June 20), which also includes Schleicher, Val Verde and Sutton counties. On June 25, the commission established an infested zone in Crockett County linked to the sheep detections. Other nearby zones include Zone 5 (Tom Green and Coke counties, effective June 12) and Zone 4 (Edwards, Sutton and Val Verde counties, effective June 10). Parts of Medina County and two additional counties were added to quarantine effective June 24. 

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that targets livestock, wildlife and, less commonly, pets and people. Female flies lay eggs on wounds or body openings. The eggs hatch into larvae that burrow into and feed on living tissue before dropping to the ground to pupate after about seven days. 

Adult flies have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body and three dark stripes across the back. Common signs include expanding wounds or lesions and the presence of feeding maggots on live animals. 

The USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission continue monitoring the outbreak and recommend that livestock owners regularly inspect animals for wounds and report any suspected cases immediately.

Relevant information from the USDA can be found HERE.