Brad Burt

Animal health experts say vigilance is the first defense from the flesh-eating New World screwworm.

But Texas cattle ranchers like Dace Duke outside Coleman aren't too worried.

He remembers when the screwworm would show up in cattle when he was a teenager.

Agriculture officials warn of a possible $1.8 billion impact on the Texas cattle industry.

That's on top of the rising cost of fuel and materials, drought, and an industry consolidation leading to the smallest U.S.

cattle herd in 75 years.

For NPR News, I'm Brad Burt in Lubbock.

Hi, Steve. Thanks for having me.

Hi, Steve. Thanks for having me.

Hi, Steve. Thanks for having me.

So I was in Gaines County last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed, 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty.

So I was in Gaines County last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed, 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty.

So I was in Gaines County last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed, 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty.

Zach Holbrooks, director for the district, says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak.

Zach Holbrooks, director for the district, says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak.

Zach Holbrooks, director for the district, says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak.

At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. The Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. The Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. The Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

Well, local health authorities set up a pop-up clinic in a building where livestock shows are normally held. And billboards and local TV ads encourage people to get vaccinated. There's messaging in English, Spanish, and actually low German for the local Mennonite community. And yet many here still don't trust vaccines.