safety
Flesh-eating screwworm outbreak escalates in West Texas; strict transport ban issued
By Amber Kite at FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW)
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
Federal and state agricultural officials have confirmed that the number of New World screwworm cases in the United States has reached 27, prompting Texas authorities to issue a fresh round of emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's expansion in West Texas.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The escalation of the New World screwworm outbreak in West Texas has significant implications for livestock owners and ranchers in surrounding areas, including Tarrant County. While the current quarantine orders are focused on West Texas, the parasite's spread could potentially impact local agricultural operations if left unchecked. Southlake residents who own livestock or participate in agricultural activities should be aware of the strict transport ban and take necessary precautions to prevent the introduction of screwworms to their animals. The economic consequences of a screwworm infestation could be severe, affecting not only individual livestock owners but also the broader agricultural industry in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, local farmers and ranchers should remain vigilant and follow guidelines set by state and federal agricultural officials to mitigate the risk of screwworm transmission.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more Southlake News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Federal and state agricultural officials have confirmed that the number of New World screwworm cases in the United States has reached 27, prompting Texas authorities to issue a fresh round of emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's expansion in West Texas.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amber Kite at FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW). To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter