safety
Texas agricultural officials issue emergency quarantines across 21 counties for screwworm parasite
By Amber Kite at FOX 9 KMSP (FOX)
· June 27, 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 26, as Texas authorities issue a wave of emergency quarantine orders to contain the flesh-eating parasite's expansion into Deep South Texas.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
While the emergency quarantines are currently limited to 21 counties in Texas, Minneapolis residents who travel to the affected areas or have family and friends living there should be aware of the potential risks. The screwworm parasite poses a significant threat to livestock, and if not properly contained, could have economic implications for the agricultural industry as a whole. In the Twin Cities area, where many residents have ties to the southern United States, the situation bears watching, particularly for those involved in animal husbandry or veterinary care. Local veterinarians and animal health experts may need to be vigilant for signs of the parasite in animals that have traveled to or from the quarantined areas, and take steps to prevent its potential spread to Minnesota.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) . The Minneapolis 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 9 KMSP (FOX) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Minneapolis 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 26, as Texas authorities issue a wave of emergency quarantine orders to contain the flesh-eating parasite's expansion into Deep South Texas.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amber Kite at FOX 9 KMSP (FOX). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter