The return of the New World screwworm to Texas has sparked growing concern—and a flood of misinformation.
Since the first U.S. case was confirmed earlier this month, officials have identified 26 infestations, with more expected as the parasite continues spreading north from Mexico. Nearly 28,000 cases have been reported there since November 2024, creating pressure on Texas animal health officials to stop the outbreak before it threatens the state's $41 billion cattle industry.
As state and federal agencies race to contain the parasite, social media and political debate have fueled confusion over how the screwworm spreads, whether it threatens people, and who is responsible for its return.
Here's what the evidence shows.
Is Beef Safe to Eat During the Screwworm Outbreak?
One of the most common claims circulating online is that beef sold in grocery stores could contain screwworm larvae.
The evidence says otherwise.
Unlike insects that feed on dead tissue, the New World screwworm targets living flesh. Female flies lay eggs in open wounds on warm-blooded animals, where the larvae feed on healthy tissue. Packaged steaks, ground beef and other processed meat products are not suitable hosts.
Even if an animal were infected before slaughter, multiple inspection procedures are designed to identify health issues before meat reaches consumers. Every animal and carcass processed at federally inspected facilities undergoes examination, making it highly unlikely that an infestation would enter the food supply.
The current outbreak is an animal health crisis—not a food safety crisis.
Can Humans Get Screwworm?
Yes—but human infections remain rare.
Although cattle, pets and wildlife account for the overwhelming majority of cases, humans can become infected if flies lay eggs in untreated wounds or surgical incisions. The parasite can also infest areas such as the eyes, nose and mouth under certain conditions.
Most documented human cases have occurred in tropical regions where the fly has remained established, including parts of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
As of late June, health authorities have reported more than 2,100 human infections across Central America and Mexico. However, no human cases have been reported in the United States during the current outbreak.
The greatest risk continues to be for livestock and other animals that spend extended periods outdoors and may develop untreated wounds.
Did DOGE Budget Cuts Cause the Screwworm Outbreak?
The answer isn't clear.
Critics point to federal spending reductions that affected international screwworm monitoring efforts in Central America, along with broader workforce cuts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They argue that weakening surveillance may have reduced opportunities to stop the parasite before it reached Texas.
Federal officials dispute that conclusion, saying the agency's current screwworm response has expanded significantly since the outbreak began. USDA leadership maintains that staffing dedicated to the response has increased and that budget reductions did not contribute to the parasite's return.
Meanwhile, Texas Democrats in Congress have requested additional information from USDA officials about whether funding cuts affected surveillance or preparedness.
For now, there is no direct evidence proving that federal budget reductions caused the outbreak. The issue remains politically contested, with lawmakers seeking additional answers.
Did Illegal Cattle Bring Screwworm Into Texas?
Another popular claim is that illegal cattle trafficking or open-border policies allowed the screwworm to enter the United States.
Current investigations do not support that conclusion.
Texas animal health officials say epidemiological investigations have found no evidence linking confirmed Texas cases to illegal cattle movement from Mexico.
Instead, wildlife remains one of the leading explanations being examined. Mammals such as armadillos, rabbits and opossums can carry screwworm infestations and may contribute to local spread, although wildlife experts note these animals typically do not travel the long distances separating recent Mexican detections from the first confirmed Texas case.
Border policy has nevertheless become part of the political debate. Changes to livestock import restrictions and federal monitoring programs have prompted questions about whether policy decisions indirectly influenced the outbreak.
At this point, however, investigators have not established a connection between illegal cattle trafficking and the cases identified in Texas.
Why Sterile Flies Are the Key to Stopping Screwworm
The most important tool against the New World screwworm isn't a pesticide or vaccine.
It's millions of sterile flies.
The eradication strategy relies on releasing sterile male flies that mate with wild females. Because those matings produce no offspring, repeated releases gradually collapse the wild screwworm population.
The United States successfully eliminated the parasite decades ago using this approach. Today's challenge is producing enough sterile flies quickly enough to repeat that success.
Experts estimate approximately 500 million sterile flies must be released every week to push the parasite back south and prevent long-term establishment.
Current production remains well below that target.
A sterile fly production facility under construction in Edinburg, Texas, is expected to produce about 100 million flies per week when it opens in 2027. Facilities in Mexico and Panama will add another 160 million to 200 million flies weekly, but total production will still fall short of the estimated need.
Until production expands, officials say rapid detection, aggressive treatment of infected animals and close surveillance will remain essential to slowing the outbreak.
The Bottom Line: Separate Facts From Politics
The New World screwworm poses a legitimate threat to Texas agriculture, wildlife and animal welfare. If the parasite becomes established, the economic consequences for ranchers could reach billions of dollars.
At the same time, many of the claims dominating social media and political debate are unsupported by available evidence.
Beef remains safe to eat. Human infections are possible but uncommon and have not been reported in the United States during the current outbreak. Investigators have not linked Texas cases to illegal cattle trafficking. Questions about the impact of federal budget cuts remain unresolved, with no direct evidence proving they caused the outbreak.
As response efforts continue, separating verified information from speculation will be just as important as stopping the parasite itself. Public understanding—and public confidence—will depend on evidence rather than assumptions as officials work to keep the screwworm from gaining a permanent foothold in Texas.
