safety
Flesh-eating screwworm outbreak escalates in West Texas; strict transport ban issued
By Amber Kite at FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
Federal and state agricultural officials have confirmed that the number of New World screwworm cases in the United States has reached 27, prompting Texas authorities to issue a fresh round of emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's expansion in West Texas.
Why this matters in The Barton Creek
The recent escalation of New World screwworm cases in West Texas raises concerns for livestock owners and rural communities in the broader Texas area, including Travis County. While the outbreak is currently confined to West Texas, the potential for the parasite to spread to other parts of the state is a concern for local farmers and ranchers in Barton Creek . The emergency quarantine orders issued by Texas authorities are a necessary measure to prevent the spread of the disease, and local residents should be aware of the strict transport ban to avoid inadvertently contributing to the parasite's expansion. As the situation in West Texas continues to unfold, it will be crucial for local agricultural officials and livestock owners in Barton Creek to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their animals and prevent the potential spread of the disease to the Austin area.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News . The Barton Creek 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 FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Barton Creek stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety 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? Federal and state agricultural officials have confirmed that the number of New World screwworm cases in the United States has reached 27, prompting Texas authorities to issue a fresh round of emergency quarantine orders to combat the flesh-eating parasite's expansion in West Texas.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News and curated for The Barton Creek readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amber Kite at FOX 7 Austin (KTBC) - News. To learn more about how The Barton Creek selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Barton Creek, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter