Federal Authorities Announce Plans to Use Drones to Fight Against the New World Screwworm

USDA, DHS Formalize Biosecurity Pact to Fight Screwworm at the Border

USDA and DHS signed a biosecurity agreement Monday, formalizing coordinated efforts to combat agricultural threats, including New World screwworm. The agreement covers AI screening, data sharing and joint response protocols.

Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.

By Berenice Garcia, Jayme Lozano Carver, Stephen Simpson, Hien An Ngo and Alex Ford, The Texas Tribune June 12, 2026 A small fly has the potential to impart a big impact on Texas’ beef and agricultural industry. On June 3, the New World screwworm was detected in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County by the…

USDA Expands Border Surveillance To Combat New World Screwworm

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited South Texas to review expanded drone surveillance, livestock controls, and sterile-fly production aimed at containing the parasite. The post USDA Expands Border Surveillance To Combat New World Screwworm appeared first on Texas Scorecard.

Federal authorities announce plans to use drones to fight against the new world screwworm

EDINBURG, TX. (NBC, KYMA) - Federal authorities Monday announced plans to use drones to help fight against the new world screwworm. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joined Homeland Security officials in Edinburg, Texas to discuss how the drones will be used keep infected animals from crossing the U.S. Mexico border. Including by detecting higher temperatures in the animals. They also saw a live demonstration of the technology. Secretary Roll…

Heat-sensing drones help find screwworms on the border

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott looked up at the clear blue Texas sky Monday as Border Patrol agents launched drones that are now being used to find New World screwworm infections.

Federal officials test drones to find invasive screwworms

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott visited Edinburg to watch a drone demonstration on how this technology will help detect the New World Screwworm. On Monday morning, Border Patrol agents launched X-10 and Indigo-class drones near the tarmac at Moore Air Base in Edinburg. According [...]