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USDA releases nearly 400 million sterile flies in Texas in fight against New World Screwworm
By Patty Santos, Azian Bermea at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
Have you noticed more flies around your home?You might be right, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released nearly 400 million sterile flies in Texas since the start of the year in an effort to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak. The majority of the sterile flies have be...
Key takeaway Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released nearly 400 million sterile flies in Texas since the start of the year in an effort to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The release of nearly 400 million sterile flies in Texas by the USDA has significant implications for San Antonio and surrounding areas. While the majority of the sterile flies have been released along the Texas-Mexican border and in counties with confirmed New World Screwworm cases, such as Medina County, the presence of these flies in the region could still impact local residents and animal owners. The USDA's efforts to disrupt the mating cycle of the New World Screwworm are crucial in preventing the spread of this parasitic infestation, which can have devastating effects on livestock and wildlife. As the USDA urges people to report injured animals to local health authorities, San Antonio residents should be vigilant in monitoring their pets and livestock for any signs of injury or infestation, and report any concerns to the city health department or county health authorities.
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: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Have you noticed more flies around your home?You might be right, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released nearly 400 million sterile flies in Texas since the start of the year in an effort to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak. The majority of the sterile flies have be...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Patty Santos, Azian Bermea 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 local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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