More NWS Cases In Tamaulipas; Opinions, Updates Offered

As stated in the article below....

“We need funding. We need public awareness. We need science-based response strategies to ensure that Texas remains screwworm free.”

NOTE: this article was originally published to LivestockWeekly.com  on January 21, 2026. It was written by Colleen Schreiber.

AUSTIN — On January 6, Mexico’s SENASICA reported a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in a seven-year-old bovine with a lesion in the abdominal area. The animal was in the state of Tamaulipas, approximately 215 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, 49 miles southeast of the detection reported in the six-day old calf the December 30.

This is the third detection in Tamaulipas. The first detection in the baby calf remains both the northernmost overall detection in Tamaulipas and the northernmost active detection in Mexico.

In mid-December the Agriculture & Livestock Committee held an interim hearing on NWS. Dr. Bud Dinges, executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the lead agency in Texas for NWS response and preparation, told the committee that TAHC continues their diligent preparation planning, preparedness and educational activities for NWS. They are now in the process of holding meetings with industry groups to review USDA’s NWS playbook and TAHC’s response plan.

He updated the committee on surveillance efforts pointing out that 101 traps deployed in eight Texas counties, from Brownsville to Del Rio, are being monitored. As of December 8, 32,607 individual flies have been submitted to the National Veterinary Services lab from the trapping efforts, and 31,312 flies have been confirmed to not be NWS flies. The remaining balance is in the process of being identified there at the National Veterinary Services lab. USDA is also conducting NWS fly surveillance along the U.S. Mexico border in New Mexico, Arizona and California.

AgriLife Extension is being trained on how to ID flies, how to inspect the wounds, treat the wounds and collect larvae samples. They’re also conducting field trainings on how to map infestation cases should it get to Texas.

Pushed on the timeline for the plan to be released to the public by a committee member, Dinges said he expects it to be out in another two months.

“We need to be lockstep with USDA … We've got to protect our ability to continue to move livestock out of the northern portion of our state into other states, and we need to make sure that we meet any kind of regionalization plan that will mesh with our trade partners,” said Dinges.

He added that TAHC has dealt with ectoparasite issues with the cattle fever tick eradication program for over 100 years and that they’re well versed in such matters. Additionally, the lock step with USDA is required because NWS is a foreign animal pest that causes a foreign animal disease.

“Our plan will involve movement, control of animals, and the animals will have to be inspected, treated, identified and have proper documentation before they can move out of these infested zones set up by the USDA,” he told the committee.
An infested zone will initially be a circle with a 12-mile radius.

While there is understandably concern about the border reopening to Mexican cattle imports, Dinges reminded that there are inspection protocols in place though nothing is risk-free. He implied that he’s more concerned about the half million to a million animals moving out of Central and South America up through Panama that are crossing into Mexico.

“I don’t know that those animals are being looked at the way they should be as far as regulatory diseases and so forth,” Dinges told the committee.

Additionally, he was questioned about the veterinary shortage in rural areas. While acknowledging that shortage, he also told the committee that it’s going to take more than practitioners.

“It's going to take everybody's involvement to help stop spread of an infestation if we do get it here,” said Dinges.

Phillip Kaufman, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, told the committee that TAMU continues to develop NWS educational materials with some being translated into Spanish. They have continued working and meeting with FDA and EPA regularly to explore new treatment options for the livestock industry. The result of some of that work has been the conditional approval of Dectomax-CA1 and Exzolt Cattle-CA1.

As Kaufman further explained if an animal receives an injection of Doramectin it takes a couple of days for it to get through the bloodstream and to the tissue to the flesh-eating pest. Exholt is a pour-on. He told the committee that producers should be “very pleased” that Exzolt received emergency exemption.

“There are some other products that are likely in the pipeline that will also be very beneficial. But again, we don't need to use any of these products until the screwworm shows up here.”

He also reminded that Doramectin and Exzolt must be used under a veterinarian's care and both have withdrawal periods.

Dinges also added that ideally these products would only be used in an infested area to try and control resistance buildup.

He was questioned about ivermectin treated corn used in the cattle fever tick eradication program in concert with USDA. He informed the committee that currently there is no approved medicated feed additives for the prevention of NWS.

Kaufman also briefly updated the committee on efforts to develop new sterilization techniques at the E beam facility on the Texas A&M campus.

“We’re moving through the required protocols that must be in place for us to do that work on campus, and we are very much involved with international groups as well as partners in other states, looking for opportunities to leverage expertise across the country and the hemisphere,” said Kaufman. “We'll be expanding those efforts as well.”

Additionally, he said there are several experts at TAMU working with genetically modified organisms to see if elimination of this pest across the hemisphere could be done more efficiently without causing unintended harm.

He told the committee that there are some genetically modified flies in a colony at the COPEG facility in Panama that were developed by a university professor years ago and they’re screening these flies right now.

“The wild female must be willing to mate with that genetically modified male,” Kaufman explained. “Those steps have to be looked at by USDA-ARS and then it all has to be able to scale.”

By scale, he meant those flies must be reared in massive numbers. It’s complicated because the life cycle of the genetically modified flies must be the same life cycle as the other flies currently in production at COPEG.

“Right now, the only thing holding those flies in South Mexico are those continuous releases of the sterile flies, and they can't just swap this fly out for that fly and magically make 100 million flies,” said Kaufman.

The other piece of that is getting a permit from EPA to release a genetically modified organism.

“Because these are sterilized flies, they're not going to be passing their genetics on to another generation,” he noted. “It's a one and done deal, so that's a big benefit. It makes the genetically modified flies more palatable to the public and the agency that certifies them.”

He also stressed that it takes years to develop these types of tools and consistent funding is critical.

A committee member asked about the $100 million in research funds that Secretary Rollins announced would be made available to battle NWS. Kaufman said the TAMU entomology department alone submitted $25 million in research proposal requests that are focused on control, surveillance and the like.

“We are ready and just waiting for the opportunity to share these ideas with the grant review panels,” said Kaufman.

Gustavo Sabatini, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, a veterinarian by training, told the committee that prevention only is not enough to fight the NWS battle. Readiness is a must for veterinarians, livestock producers and wildlife managers and that the battle basically comes down to products and education.

“Access to preventive and therapeutic tools is very critical to keep a herd safe,” said Sabatini.

He also said that a long-acting insecticide spray preventative treatment is needed and preferably more than one chemical class product should be on the market that will allow rotation and delay resistance. Boehringer is pursuing the emergency use authorization for several parasiticides in their portfolio for the treatment of NWS.
Sabatini also told the committee that the arrival of NWS will require husbandry changes, and it will be more labor intensive particularly with newborns. In Brazil, for example, every newborn calf gets its naval treated and receives a preventative treatment. Furthermore, animals undergoing any procedure that results in blood exposure be it castration, dehorning and even ear tagging, should receive a preventative treatment, he said. Adult cattle also must be monitored and inspected for wounds.

While admitting he’s not an expert on wildlife, he opined that it’s on the wildlife front that treatment products and solutions are lacking.

“The challenge is wildlife,” he stated.

David Yoskowitz, executive director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, told the committee that they too are in the final stages of their draft plan to be released essentially in unison with TAHC’s plan. Broadly, if an infestation zone is established TPWD would send a “surge team”, of biologists and game wardens to help with the establishment of a command post and help with monitoring animal movement and if it were to occur during hunting season such things as carcass movement.

He stressed that surveillance of wildlife requires partnering with landowners. Their motto has been: “If you see something, say something”, but landowners must know what to look for which is why education on the topic is so important, he stressed.

Peyton Schumann, executive director, government relations, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raise Association, told the committee that TSCRA’s 30 Special Rangers are helping on the education front as are their brand inspectors. He also pointed to the regularly updated screwwormtx.orgwebsite developed through the Screwworm Coalition of Texas, as a one-stop shop for producers and public to learn about the latest with NWS.

The one-take home from Schumann to the committee had to do with a need for additional funding for agency support. As Schumann noted USDA’s NWS playbook very clearly identifies the operational responsibilities that fall to state agencies including surveillance, field operations, quarantine, support, communication, data management and wildlife coordination to name but a few.

“Those expectations would place enormous strain on both Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife,” said Schumann. “These agencies already operate with lean staffing and limited resources. They are highly capable, but they are not built for a surge event of this scale, without additional support should NWS enter Texas. The workload could overwhelm them almost immediately.”

He further suggested that now is the time for the legislature to consider additional funding, staffing and emergency authority these agencies would need to carry out an NWS response effectively.

“We cannot wait until an incursion happens to have that conversation,” he stated.
Additionally, TSCRA recommended some additional research dollars. Schumann said the focus has been on the amount of money needed to stand up the production facilities but funding for research to carry out some of the things that are being discussed is a very much needed.

“Texas producers are prepared to do our part,” he assured the committee. “But the success of any response depends on whether our state agencies have the personnel, equipment and operational bandwidth to execute their role in the NWS playbook.”
Ben Weinheimer, president and CEO, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, testified that he participated in a agricultural trade mission to Mexico in November at the bequest of Secretary Rollins. The weeklong even included discussions with Mexico’s Agriculture Secretary and with SENESECA officials and they saw firsthand the “extensive measures” developed and implemented by Mexico with respect to inspections, treatment controls and GPS tracking of animals and trucks, as well as “robust” monitoring, surveillance and reporting requirements for larva and flies.

"Their efforts are real and substantial and augment the work being done here,” Weinheimer told the committee.

He also pointed to a critically important distinction in the reporting of NWS. It has to do with the finding of actual adult flies versus larvae. Specifically, as others testified, the NWS fly has really been contained in southern Mexico. The few cases that have been further north have been dead and dying larvae on animals destined for feedyards. (Weinheimer’s testimony came before the latest cases reported by SENSECA in Tamaulipas. Still to date, no adult NWS have been trapped, and sterile flies are being released).

“These isolated occurrences validate the effectiveness of Mexico's requirements that stipulate two inspections and treatments with ivermectin before animals can be moved from south to north,” he told the committee. “With the robust animal health inspection protocols in place, it is time to normalize trade and reopen the border to permitted importation of feeder cattle that are subject to inspection and treatment, protocols developed and approved by APHIS over a year ago.”

He added that livestock must also pass inspection by USDA veterinarians. He further contended that the interruption of cattle trade with Mexico has hurt consumers.

“For decades, U.S. cattle producers have imported lightweight USDA-APHIS veterinarian inspected Mexican feeder cattle and raised those cattle under our care and practices to produce an additional one billion pounds of beef for U.S. consumers,” said Weinheimer.

Given that the majority are fed and processed in Texas, having the border closed has also impacted local and state economies.

He also told the committee that nearly two-thirds of Texas Republican primary voters recently polled favored reopening the border.

Greg Buenger, Texas Farm Bureau board member and veterinarian for 40 years and cattle producer, told the committee that pharmaceutical treatments, both systemic and topical used to treat screwworm infestations in livestock, will be critical to minimize the damage of this pest and that they must be FDA approved.
“We're pleased that the FDA has already authorized some products, but certainly more are needed because we're worried about resistance,” said Buenger. “Off label or unapproved use of animal drugs can jeopardize food safety, violate federal regulation and compromise international trade. It is imperative that all therapeutic interventions follow FDA guidelines, and that they go under proper regulatory review before being recommended or distributed.”

Buenger said TFB shares the anxiety voiced by some committee members regarding the ability of USDA to meet the fly production facility timelines for start-up.

“We are satisfied that they're doing all they can within the bureaucratic process, but it certainly doesn't lessen our frustration,” said Buenger.

Like others he stressed the need for vigilance noting that this is not just an ag issue but rather a matter of national biosecurity. He referred to an outbreak in 1976, which cost the state just over $300 million. Adjusted for inflation and current cattle prices, USDA has estimated such an outbreak today would approach $2 billion in livestock related losses and $10.6 billion national economic damage. Additionally, an outbreak would devastate the $9 billion whitetail deer industry in the state and its deer population.

Consequently, like others providing testimony, he strongly encouraged additional funding to support all processes related to the battle against the incursion of NWS in the U.S.

“We need funding. We need public awareness. We need science-based response strategies to ensure that Texas remains screwworm free.”

Regarding companion animals and even human infestations, Trent Hightower, representing the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, emphasized educating the public and small animal veterinarians to identify infestations, recognize infection odors and promptly notify authorities if suspicious cases arise.

Kory Gann, big game program director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, told the committee that TPWD understands that providing sufficient monitoring of wildlife using animal inspections, trail camera, photos and removal of suspect animals is essential to combat NWS. However, surveillance activities of wildlife require voluntary access and permission to enter private property. Thus, a large part of TPWD’s efforts will focus on live animal movement inspections and responding to reports of suspected cases of NWS in native wildlife.

He said that TPWD recently responded to a suspected case of NWS in a breeder deer in Edwards County. The sample was submitted to the national laboratory and was found to be secondary screwworms, not NWS.

A video to help educate hunters on what to look for in harvested carcasses was also made available and an e-blast with information on NWS was sent to 1.3 million Texas hunting license holders in early November.

He also said there is a rules package in the works to amend rules governing TPWD’s authorization of take of protected native wildlife for not just Chronic Wasting Disease but also for NWS. The proposed changes would allow necessary flexibility to address situations for when take by a landowner is necessary including number, type of animals, method of take, time of take, duration of authorization, reporting, sample collection, carcass disposition and disease testing requirements.
Robert Braden, president and CEO of Texas Grain and Feed Association, applauded the hard work done by state and federal agencies thus far, but pointed out that there is no plan for protecting the state’s wildlife from the devastating pest. He opined that this shortfall is where his organization can help.

“Our members have been making feed for livestock, wildlife, exotics and companion animals for over 125 years,” said Braden. “Our members are respected professionals across the feed industry, with nutritionist and parasitologist on staff at times, ensuring when it comes to proper nutrition for our animals and medicated feed needs that the best formulations make their way to these animals.”

He told the committee that an estimated 70 percent of wildlife in South Texas, whitetail deer specifically, are accustomed to consuming deer protein or corn daily and his members are of the opinion that feeding ivermectin and or doramectin treated corn could be a solution for managing NWS in wildlife. Their view is rooted in the use of ivermectin-treated corn to feed deer for cattle fever tick control, and its application during the Key deer outbreak in Florida. Both cases were special uses overseen by USDA.

While emergency use authorizations have been given for two drugs for use in cattle, nothing has been officially approved yet allowing for the use of ivermectin as an oral feed for wildlife.

“State officials say that the science does not exist to use ivermectin as an oral feed through we don't believe this is true,” said Braden. “We do believe the science is available.”

He opined that should NWS incursion occur in Texas if left untreated, wildlife will be the biggest spreader of the pest.

“They (wildlife) can’t tell where quarantine lines are,” said Braden. “And they're perfect incubators for this pest, not to mention the north of $5 billion economy driver that would be devastated overnight without protections in place for wildlife.”

Hunter Barrett, whose family is in the cattle feeding business, runs a cotton seed feed business as well. He too advocated for a treated feed solution and sooner rather than later.

Tim Niedecken, representing the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas, shared with the committee a map of livestock markets in Texas and based on a recent USDA modeling of where the highest risk prevalence would be for NWS, the markets that would be most impacted were identified. In 2024, about two million head of cattle were transacted through those specific markets. About 90 percent of those same markets also transact sheep, goats and horses.

“Just to be very clear, we have told USDA, point blank, that we will be unable to comply with their response plan as written,” said Niedecken. “We would submit that the better approach would be to go to industry and say, what do you do, and then adapt the plan to all respective operations … we think they got that out of order.”

He reiterated that their feedback response to USDA was “extremely detailed,” but the bottom line was the plan needed “significant revision.”

Their concerns have been shared not only with USDA but with TAHC as well.
Niedecken also reminded that USDA modeling indicates that April 1, the risk of NWS in Texas goes up dramatically. Like others, he encouraged the state to make available all necessary support resources needed to prepare and respond accordingly should an outbreak occur, now rather than later.

Finally, Bracken Marburger, owner of Milano Livestock Exchange and Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) member, applauded the efforts underway to build sterile fly distribution facilities in Texas and Mexico, as well as a domestic sterile fly production facility.

“We feel this is paramount to getting this pushed back and eradicated out of North America,” Marburger told the committee.

Additionally, while the NWS playbook is a critical tool toward preparedness the document as written, he opined “imposes some impractical burdens that risk paralyzing the speed of commerce without proportionate disease control benefits.”
LMA’s recommendations for improving the plan focus on simplifying guidance, expanding inspection capacity and providing flexibility for slaughter and market movements.