safety
Flesh-eating screwworm outbreak escalates in West Texas as confirmed cases reach 31
By Amber Kite at FOX 26 Houston (KRIV)
· July 2, 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 31, prompting Texas authorities to maintain strict emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's ongoing expansion in West Texas.
Why this matters in Magnolia News
The escalation of New World screwworm cases in West Texas has significant implications for livestock owners and farmers in surrounding areas, including Montgomery County. While the outbreak is currently confined to West Texas, the parasite's ability to spread quickly poses a threat to the local agricultural industry. Magnolia residents who own livestock or have rural properties should be vigilant and take precautions to prevent the spread of the parasite, as the economic impact of an outbreak could be substantial. The maintenance of strict emergency quarantine orders by Texas authorities is a crucial step in containing the outbreak, and local farmers and livestock owners should be prepared to comply with any regulations or guidelines issued by state and federal officials to prevent the screwworm's expansion into the Houston area.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) . Magnolia 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 26 Houston (KRIV) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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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 31, prompting Texas authorities to maintain strict emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's ongoing expansion in West Texas.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by FOX 26 Houston (KRIV) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amber Kite at FOX 26 Houston (KRIV). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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