USDA confirms 2 more screwworm cases, hires Texas adviser 

The Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health inspection Service on Monday confirmed three additional cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States, all in Texas: a calf in La Salle County; a dog that was in Andrews County; and a goat in Gillespie County. 

While the veterinarian who reported the case is located in Texas, the dog lives in a household in Lea County, New Mexico. Therefore, the location of that case will be reclassified to be the first case detected in New Mexico.  

“This situation is evolving, and we expect new information to emerge as our investigation continues,” said Dudley Hoskins, USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs said in the APHIS news release.

“USDA is committed to sharing what we learn quickly, accurately, and transparently so animal owners and local communities have the information they need to stay vigilant,” Hoskins said.

“We are working closely with our partners in New Mexico, Texas, and across the region to ensure we identify, contain, and respond to any potential cases as swiftly as possible.”

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who was in Texas for briefings on Monday, announced that President Trump has appointed John Bellinger as the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness. 

“In this role, Bellinger will integrate into USDA’s team to help further drive its robust effort to explore all available technologies to combat the New World screwworm,” USDA said in a news release. 

“John’s roots in Texas where New World screwworm is at ground zero, and his private sector experience in the related food safety and cattle industries, will help the administration advance our response and protect U.S. livestock.”

According to USDA, Bellinger lives in San Antonio and is the co-founder, with his wife, Gina, and the former CEO of Food Safety Net Services.

He is a board member of the recently merged company between FSNS and the Certified Group, and the CEO of Agri-West International, a food exporter, as well as Bellinger Development. Bellinger is the former chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the Southwest Meat Association

Bellinger serves on the Texas A&M Board of Regents after being appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, and he serves as chair of the Committee on Research.

Additionally, he is a longtime member and season ticket holder of the 12th Man Foundation, which funds athletic scholarships at Texas A&M, USDA noted.

He is also a member of the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture Development Council, as well an adviser to the Animal Science Department.

He remains a partner and board member of Nolan Ryan Beef, BK Beef, BC Stables, AW Japan, Just Pots, and Livek.

Bellinger received a bachelor of science in agricultural education and a master of science in animal science from Texas A&M University.

CoBank, the Denver-based bank for cooperatives, noted in its “Knowledge Exchange Division Gleanings” report Monday that Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said last week that many ranchers will not report cases of screwworm because they fear they will not be able to market their animals. 

“Given that the USDA sterile fly facility is not expected to begin production for another 18 months, NWS is likely to spread in Texas and seasonal incursions further north are also likely,” Rob Fox, a vice president of the Knowledge Exchange, wrote in the report. 

“A single fly can move 12 miles and lay 3,000 eggs during its roughly three-week lifespan. Eradication efforts in the 1960s took years, and we should prepare for a similar timeline today,” Fox said. “NWS is not a food safety issue.” 

On CNBC, Rollins called Miller’s comments “unserious.”