safety
New World screwworm found in calf in the Valley
Summary by The Odessa Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Mia Morales , Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 20, 2026
· 1 min read
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starr County officials have confirmed its first screwworm case in the western area of Starr County. Starr County Emergency Management spokesman Lenny Fuentes said the larvae was found in a baby calf. According to a social media post, Starr County officials say ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Odessa Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Mia Morales, Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Starr County Emergency Management spokesman Lenny Fuentes said the larvae was found in a baby calf.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The discovery of a New World Screwworm case in Starr County has significant implications for livestock owners in the Permian Basin area, including Ector County. While the case was found in the Valley, the highly infectious nature of the parasite means that local farmers and ranchers should be on high alert. The Texas Animal Health Commission's involvement is crucial in containing the outbreak, and their efforts will likely be closely watched by Odessa-area livestock owners. The fact that the larvae was found in a baby calf underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring animal health, particularly in rural areas where livestock is prevalent. As the situation is monitored, local agricultural extension offices may play a key role in disseminating information and best practices to prevent the spread of the parasite in the Odessa area.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa 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 Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Starr County officials have confirmed its first screwworm case in the western area of Starr County. Starr County Emergency Management spokesman Lenny Fuentes said the larvae was found in a baby calf. According to a social media post, Starr County officials say ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mia Morales at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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