The discovery of multiple New World screwworm cases in Texas and neighboring New Mexico has sparked a wave of anger across Texas social media, with many residents accusing the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of dismantling programs that were designed to stop exactly this kind of outbreak.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed three additional screwworm cases on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to five since the first domestic infestation in roughly six decades was identified in a Texas calf last week.
For many Texans discussing the situation online, the issue is more about accountability than it is livestock.
Over on the Texas subreddit, a thread titled “Screwworm is about to completely devastate Texas” warned that the parasite could spread rapidly through cattle herds and wildlife populations, potentially causing billions of dollars in losses.
Other users pointed out that screwworm is not limited to cattle. Deer, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, pets, and even humans can be affected in rare cases.
“The whole reason the US government focused containment down in Panama is because it is easier to protect 100 miles versus 1,500 miles,” one commenter wrote.
Texans Connect Outbreak to Canceled Monitoring Programs
Much of the discussion centered on reporting from Agri-Pulse in March 2025, which revealed that the Trump administration’s USAID cuts terminated more than 100 U.S.-funded programs at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Among those canceled initiatives were projects focused on monitoring and containing New World screwworm in Central America, as well as efforts tracking avian influenza and other animal diseases.
According to Agri-Pulse, stop-work orders arrived in late January 2025, and the programs were formally terminated about a month later.
That history has become a major flashpoint for frustrated Texans.
“Sure would be a shame if someone had cut the funding for the USAID program that monitored screwworm infections throughout Central America,” one Reddit user wrote. “Oh wait…”
Another commenter directly referenced the Agri-Pulse report, stating: “The program that was monitoring it was killed off last year in Trump’s cuts. Best of luck Texas. You’re going to need it.”
Several users blamed DOGE for targeting preventive programs that often receive little public attention until a crisis emerges.
“I love how they did a speedrun of destroying all preventative measures for things they were completely ignorant of,” one commenter wrote.
Others argued that the outbreak demonstrates the value of government programs that are largely invisible when they succeed.
“When governments are highly successful at keeping horrible things away from you, you forget the horrors and forget to give credit,” another user said.
While USDA officials say they are responding aggressively and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced funding for screwworm technologies, many Texans remain unconvinced. Across hundreds of comments, the dominant sentiment was clear: residents believe warnings were ignored, safeguards were removed, and the state is now facing the consequences.
