local
U.S. importing sterile flies from Mexico as screwworm outbreak grows, Cuellar seeks federal funding for ranchers
By Elena Stoica at KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is calling out the federal government’s response to the New World Screwworm as the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. climbs to 29.The two most recent cases were detected in cattle in Uvalde County and in a dog in Pecos County.Cuellar, who represen...
Key takeaway Henry Cuellar is calling out the federal government’s response to the New World Screwworm as the number of confirmed cases in the U.
Why this matters in The Laredo
The New World Screwworm outbreak's impact on local ranchers is a pressing concern for the Laredo community, given the significant role agriculture plays in the regional economy. With confirmed cases now detected in neighboring Uvalde and Pecos counties, the risk of the outbreak spreading to Webb and Zapata counties is a real concern. The fact that the U.S. is importing sterile flies from Mexico to combat the outbreak highlights the need for a more robust response from federal authorities. Representative Cuellar's efforts to secure funding for affected farmers and ranchers are crucial, as many are already struggling with the effects of tariffs and drought. The potential economic fallout from the screwworm outbreak could be devastating for local ranchers, making it imperative that Congress acts swiftly to pass the supplemental appropriations bill and provide necessary support to the agricultural community in South Texas.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local 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 (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is calling out the federal government’s response to the New World Screwworm as the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. climbs to 29.The two most recent cases were detected in cattle in Uvalde County and in a dog in Pecos County.Cuellar, who represen...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Elena Stoica at KGNS (NBC/ABC affiliate) — Local News. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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