safety
Flesh-eating screwworm outbreak escalates in West Texas; strict transport ban issued
By Amber Kite at FOX 11 Los Angeles (KTTV)
· 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 The Los Angeles
The escalating flesh-eating screwworm outbreak in West Texas has significant implications for Los Angeles County's agricultural community, given the region's role in the national livestock trade. As the parasite's presence expands, local farmers and ranchers must be vigilant about the potential for infected animals to be transported into the area, either intentionally or unintentionally. The strict transport ban issued by Texas authorities may have a ripple effect on the regional livestock market, potentially impacting prices and availability of certain animal products in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the outbreak highlights the need for robust animal health surveillance and inspection protocols at local borders and transportation hubs to prevent the introduction of the parasite into the county's agricultural ecosystem. Local agricultural officials should closely monitor the situation in West Texas and be prepared to respond quickly if the outbreak spreads to California.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 11 Los Angeles (KTTV) . The Los Angeles 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 11 Los Angeles (KTTV) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 11 Los Angeles (KTTV) ·
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 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 11 Los Angeles (KTTV) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amber Kite at FOX 11 Los Angeles (KTTV). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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