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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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· 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 San Antonio
The re-emergence of the New World screwworm in the US has significant implications for San Antonio 's agricultural community. Given the city's location in a major livestock-producing region, the potential financial impact of this outbreak could be substantial. The USDA's estimate of over $900 million in annual savings from past eradication efforts suggests that the economic stakes are high. San Antonio's farmers and ranchers may be particularly vulnerable to the screwworm's devastating effects, and it is crucial that local leaders learn from the past's playbook in addressing this issue. The experience of Edward F. Knipling, a Texas-born entomologist who played a key role in the initial eradication effort, offers valuable insights into the importance of proactive and large-scale responses to insect outbreaks. As the situation unfolds, San Antonio's agricultural community will be watching closely to see how government officials respond to this threat and whether they can draw on the lessons of history to mitigate its impact.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: library ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Jayme Lozano Carver at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more library coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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