western
What history teaches us about the screwworm outbreak and how to fight it
By Sara Sanchez at NBC DFW
· June 11, 2026
· 5 min read
The return of the New World Screwworm has raised concerns among ranchers, government officials, and pet owners. Experts say the parasite poses a serious threat to livestock and other animals. But they also point to an important historical fact: the United States has beaten screwworm before. Many of
Key takeaway "Wounds will attract the female flies," said Dr.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The return of the New World Screwworm to Texas poses a significant threat to the state's livestock industry, a crucial part of the local economy, particularly in the Fort Worth area with its rich ranching heritage. The Fort Worth Stockyards, a landmark and tourist destination, is surrounded by rural areas where ranchers are likely to be impacted by the outbreak. As the parasite can affect any warm-blooded animal, pet owners in the city and surrounding Tarrant County should also be vigilant. The historical context of successfully eradicating the screwworm in 1966 through the sterile fly program offers hope for a similar solution this time around. Local ranchers and animal owners will be watching closely as government officials and experts deploy similar tools to combat the outbreak, and the success of these efforts will have a direct impact on the livelihoods of many in the Fort Worth area.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth 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 DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: western ·
Published: June 11, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 5 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more The Fort Worth stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering western and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The return of the New World Screwworm has raised concerns among ranchers, government officials, and pet owners. Experts say the parasite poses a serious threat to livestock and other animals. But they also point to an important historical fact: the United States has beaten screwworm before. Many of
When was this published? This article was first published on June 11, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sara Sanchez at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more western coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More western →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter