MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — The number of confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas rose to 20 overnight, with the latest detection confirmed in Medina County.
State officials have created a new infested zone that includes parts of Medina, Bandera and Uvalde counties. The Texas Animal Health Commission said there are now confirmed cases in nine Texas counties, and officials are urging ranchers to check livestock regularly for any signs of infested wounds.
Officials say their best defense continues to be releasing millions of sterile male flies, a strategy that helped eliminate the pest from the United States decades ago.
“That was very successful in eradicating screwworm from the United States and all the way down through Central America back in the, the 50s, 60s and into the early 2000s, and I believe it can be a successful technique again,” said Dr. Samantha Holeck, New Mexico state veterinarian.
Lawmakers and politicians from across the country are also pushing for more action. Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts said he sent a letter to the USDA.
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Arizona Rep. Greg Stanton said he also sent a letter asking the government to put more resources into the effort.
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Clayton Tucker, a Democrat running for Texas agriculture commissioner, criticized the response, saying, “Now, bureaucrats and politicians are arguing while the threat continues to spread.”