safety
Laredo takes proactive measures against New World Screwworm threat
By Elena Stoica at KGNS — Top News
· June 19, 2026
· 3 min read
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The city of Laredo is taking extra precautions to protect pets and wildlife from the New World Screwworm, despite there being no reported cases in Webb County.The mayor of Laredo announced local amendments on Friday, June 19, to complement the statewide emergency declaration...
Key takeaway The mayor of Laredo announced local amendments on Friday, June 19, to complement the statewide emergency declaration issued by Gov.
Why this matters in The Laredo
The city's proactive measures against the New World Screwworm threat are particularly crucial for Laredo's unique border community, where the risk of transmission from neighboring areas is heightened. By directing city departments to increase monitoring and preparedness efforts, the mayor's amendments acknowledge the potential consequences of an outbreak on the local pet and wildlife populations. The focus on stray dogs, stray cats, and feral hog populations is also significant, as these animals can easily cross into and out of the city, potentially carrying the screwworm. The emphasis on securing funding for a sterile fly production facility at the health department lab could provide a long-term solution to controlling screwworm populations in the area. As the city moves forward with these measures, it will be important to track the effectiveness of the monitoring efforts and the progress made in establishing the sterile fly production facility.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Top News . The Laredo 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 KGNS — Top News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Top News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - The city of Laredo is taking extra precautions to protect pets and wildlife from the New World Screwworm, despite there being no reported cases in Webb County.The mayor of Laredo announced local amendments on Friday, June 19, to complement the statewide emergency declaration...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by KGNS — Top News and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Elena Stoica at KGNS — Top News. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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