safety
Flesh-eating New World screwworm sparks emergency action in Florida after parasite reaches Texas
By CBS Miami Team at CBS4 Miami
· June 7, 2026
· 3 min read
Florida has enacted emergency rules aimed at keeping the destructive New World screwworm out of the state after the flesh-eating parasite was detected in Texas just days ago.The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Friday that it is temporarily restricting the import of
Key takeaway "We are going to need a unified front from the government, our agricultural community, and the public to respond to this threat," Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said in a statement posted on X.
Why this matters in The Miami
The emergency rules enacted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm are crucial for Miami-Dade County's livestock industry. As a major hub for Latin American and Caribbean communities, Miami's proximity to the Florida Keys, where a small outbreak occurred in 2017, increases the risk of the parasite's spread. The temporary restriction on importing warm-blooded animals from affected areas and new inspection requirements will help protect the local livestock industry, which is a significant part of the county's economy. With the parasite's detection in Texas, just days ago, the swift action taken by state officials is a necessary step to prevent the screwworm's spread and potential devastating impact on the local agricultural community, particularly in areas like Little Havana and the surrounding rural areas where livestock farming is prevalent.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami 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 CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 7, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Florida has enacted emergency rules aimed at keeping the destructive New World screwworm out of the state after the flesh-eating parasite was detected in Texas just days ago.The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Friday that it is temporarily restricting the import of
When was this published? This article was first published on June 7, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS Miami Team at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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