Tagged News

• Gov. Abbott fast tracks sterile fly facility in Edinburg to combat screwworm Play Video

  June 5, 2026 6:49 PM

  Governor Greg Abbott is ramping up efforts to protect Texas animals against the New World Screwworm. He expanded a disaster declaration and is focusing on fast-tracking a project near Edinburg. On Friday, he announced the state will help speed up construction on an $800 million fly breeding facility... more »

• Valley ranchers on alert as screwworm risk grows Play Video

  June 5, 2026 2:27 PM

  The fight to keep the flesh-eating fly out of the Rio Grande Valley and away from the animals has been renewed. There are no confirmed cases of the screwworm in the Valley, but there is one near Uvalde and it now has ranchers on their toes. Edinburg veterinarian... more »

• Texas Animal Health Commission adds inspectors to stop screwworm spread Play Video

  June 1, 2026 8:34 PM

  The Texas Animal Health Commission is hiring more inspectors to help keep a flesh-eating fly out of Texas. The screwworm is a deadly parasite that has already been confirmed in northern Mexico. Local, state and federal officials are monitoring its movement. The commission is adding inspectors to check... more »

• Valley county judges meet to address New World screwworm threat Play Video

  May 18, 2026 9:49 AM

  There are multiple active cases of the New World screwworm in Mexico. It's a parasitic fly that feasts on the wounds of warm-blooded animals, which includes cattle, deer, dogs and cats. Out of the nearly 2,000 active cases in Mexico, 200 are near the border with Texas,... more »

• Texas Parks and Wildlife hosts screwworm workshop in Weslaco Play Video

  February 28, 2026 6:47 PM

  Some Rio Grande Valley residents are now better prepared to handle the New World Screwworm if it were to cross the border. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department held a bilingual screwworm workshop Saturday at the Texas A&M offices in Weslaco. There are no active cases in the United... more »

• Texas’ plan to stop a parasitic fly from destroying its cattle population is far from complete

  December 9, 2025 9:14 PM

  McALLEN — As Mexican officials battle the spread of New World Screwworm, Texas officials are still working to finalize a response plan that would be enacted should the parasitic fly spread into the state. Texas lawmakers questioned state and federal officials on plans to combat screwworm during a Texas... more »

• State conducting screwworm inspections near Falfurrias Play Video

  November 11, 2025 9:59 PM

  Inspectors with the Texas Animal Health Commission were spotted on Tuesday inspecting trailers carrying cattle. The inspection, off Highway 281 south of Falfurrias, looked for signs of the screwworm parasite on the animals heading north. Inspector Eli Benavidez also looked for signs of foot and mouth disease and... more »

• Animal health experts to advise livestock owners on screwworm at Raymondville event Play Video

  October 17, 2025 6:44 PM

  Agriculture experts in Willacy County are warning about the New World Screwwrom. There are no reports in the Rio Grande Valley, and the latest reported case was 70 miles west of Roma in Mexico. "This fly, if it does get into our area, it can cause death in... more »

• Reactions in Starr County after new screwworm case found near US border in Nuevo Leon Play Video

  September 25, 2025 7:16 PM

  Starr County cattle ranchers said they’re worried after Mexico reported a new case of the parasitic New World screwworm. The latest case was detected in the town of Sabinas Hidalgo in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. It’s about 70 miles from the Starr County border city of... more »

• Local Ranchers On Alert amid Cattle Tick Fever Outbreak Play Video

  May 20, 2019 4:48 PM

  SAN JUAN – A new cattle fever tick outbreak is alarming Rio Grande Valley ranchers. The disease can spread onto farm land and make an impact on profits. A spokesperson for Texas Animal Health Commission says fever ticks do not affect humans, but a bite can attack a... more »

• State Health Agency Sees Decrease of Cattle Fever Tick Cases Play Video

  January 1, 2019 7:01 PM

  EDINBURG – The state saw fewer signs of cattle fever ticks in two Texas counties. Hidalgo County was one where a quarantine zone is now closed. Other areas in the Rio Grande Valley remain in quarantine, but its better news for ranchers. The Texas Animal Health Commission... more »

• Local ranchers hopeful with changes to insecticide use on cattle Play Video

  October 2, 2018 6:35 PM

  WESLACO – A local rancher says he lost cattle because of the way the insecticide is used. The parasite carried by the fever tick is deadly to cattle but farmers claim the way the disease has been treated could also be deadly. KRGV’s Christian von Preysing spoke with... more »