# The Flesh-Eating Screwworm Outbreak Just Took a Grim New Turn

- Link: https://www.widthness.com/the-flesh-eating-screwworm-outbreak-just-took-a-grim-new-turn/
- Published: 2026-10-23T09:30:00-05:00
- Author: Curated by Theresa Wysocki

Photo: Elk – April 3, 2010. Attribution: “Elk” by Larry Lamsa via Flickr. CC BY 2.0. Article by Ed Cara. Gizmodo – October 22, 2026. The invading parasitic New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is digging its sharp mouth hooks deeper into the United States. This week, federal and local officials in Texas confirmed the first known infestation of screwworm in wildlife since the parasite reemerged in the country this year—a female elk killed by hunters. Though total cases of screwworm are still low, this month has seen an increase. […] Click here to view the original article at www.gizmodo.com Curated by Theresa Wysocki See Full Bio