The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed a second case of the New World screwworm in Texas, detected in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County. This parasite, which feeds on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, poses a severe threat to the cattle industry. Found less than six miles from a previous case, the USDA is taking swift action to contain the outbreak. Dudley Hoskins, the USDA's under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, emphasized the department's preparedness and response. Since 2023, the screwworm has been moving north from South America and Central America. If left unchecked, an outbreak could cost Texas $1.8 billion in economic losses and $732 million annually for producers. The USDA has implemented movement control zones, intensified surveillance, and started releasing millions of sterile flies weekly to combat the pest. Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening has called for vigilance among livestock producers and residents to manage the invasive species effectively.