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The U.S. last beat screwworm in 1966. Can current leaders learn from the past’s playbook?
By Texas Tribune, Jayme Lozano Carver at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 8 min read
Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.LUBBOCK — The New World screwworm has entered the country, and if history is any indication, the parasite’s devastating eff...
Key takeaway LUBBOCK — The New World screwworm has entered the country, and if history is any indication, the parasite’s devastating effects on the U.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The re-emergence of the New World screwworm in the US has significant implications for Piney Point Village , given the community's location within the Houston area and Harris County's agricultural interests. As the USDA estimates the industry saved over $900 million annually from past eradication efforts, the potential financial impact of this outbreak on local farmers and ranchers is a concern. The historical context of the screwworm's spread from the Southwest to Southeast through infested animal shipments also raises questions about the current measures in place to prevent similar incidents in the region. With a playbook now available on how to eradicate the pest, local leaders would do well to study the large-scale responses implemented in the past and consider how they can be adapted to address the current outbreak and protect the local agricultural industry.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: library ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 8 min
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What is this story about? Subscribe to The Y’all — a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas, produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.LUBBOCK — The New World screwworm has entered the country, and if history is any indication, the parasite’s devastating eff...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Jayme Lozano Carver at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more library coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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