Commissioner Miller Urges Swift Action After New Screwworm Case Found in Northern Mexico

AUSTIN, Texas (October 8, 2025) — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an urgent call to action Wednesday following confirmation of a new case of New World Screwworm in Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico — less than 150 miles south of the Texas border.

“With a second case nearing the Texas-Mexico border, time is of the essence,” Miller said in a statement. “The time is now for our state and federal partners to get on board with the deployment of pesticide bait. When utilized right, alongside TDA Swormlure, this is a proven method for eradication.”

The affected calf was intercepted at a new livestock checkpoint, and the screwworm larvae were found dead due to mandatory treatments, including ivermectin and a larvicidal bath.

The New World Screwworm is a flesh-eating parasite that attacks warm-blooded animals, including livestock and wildlife, and can devastate ranching economies if left unchecked. Once eradicated from the United States in the 1960s through a coordinated U.S.-Mexico program, the parasite’s reemergence near Texas has sparked widespread concern among ranchers and agricultural officials.

Miller emphasized that the threat extends beyond livestock. “This isn’t just a livestock issue — it’s about protecting Texas jobs, rural communities, and our agricultural lifeblood,” he said.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has already deployed its advanced Swormlure traps across southern Texas to monitor and contain any potential spread. These traps are designed for early detection, allowing for rapid response before infestations reach commercial herds.

TDA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Mexican authorities to coordinate surveillance and treatment along the border region. The Commissioner said deploying pesticide bait — a key element of past eradication efforts — remains essential to preventing the screwworm from crossing into Texas.

“Our world-class Texas cattle industry is too important to take chances,” Miller said. “We are acting with force and precision now to protect the backbone of rural Texas.”

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