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How Texas universities are helping detect and control the New World screwworm
By Sara Sanchez at NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local
· June 19, 2026
· 4 min read
As of June 19, officials had confirmed 12 New World screwworm cases in the United States, including 11 in Texas and one in New Mexico. The USDA said the funding will support new technologies aimed at improving detection, treatment and eradication efforts.
What is the New World screwworm?
Th...
Key takeaway The Grand Challenge On June 17, the USDA announced funding for 40 projects to help strengthen the response to the New World screwworm.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The involvement of several Texas universities in the USDA's Grand Challenge is a significant development for the state's livestock producers, who stand to benefit from improved detection and control methods for the New World screwworm. With 11 confirmed cases in Texas as of June 19, the need for effective solutions is pressing. The participation of institutions like Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas at Arlington brings critical research capacity to the effort, and their focus on areas like sterile insect production, therapeutics, and surveillance will be closely watched by local stakeholders. As these projects move forward, it will be important to see how they intersect with the work of state and local agencies, as well as the livestock industry, to inform a coordinated response to the New World screwworm threat in Texas.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local . 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 NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As of June 19, officials had confirmed 12 New World screwworm cases in the United States, including 11 in Texas and one in New Mexico. The USDA said the funding will support new technologies aimed at improving detection, treatment and eradication efforts.
What is the New World screwworm?
Th...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sara Sanchez at NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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