AUSTIN \u2013 Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday issued a New World screwworm disaster proclamation and warned Texans to prepare for what he described as an \u201cextraordinarily challenging summer\u201d as state and federal agencies work to contain the flesh-eating parasite after its first confirmed appearance in Texas in decades.<\/p>\n
Abbott addressed the state\u2019s response during a news conference in Austin, where he was joined by Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Lewis R. \u201cBud\u201d Dinges, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., Director of the New World Screwworm Directorate for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rear Adm. Michael Schmoyer and other state and federal officials.<\/p>\n
The governor said Texas is deploying all available resources to contain and eradicate the pest following the confirmation of a New World screwworm infestation in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, the first confirmed U.S. case since the parasite was eradicated from the country decades ago.<\/p>\n
Abbott\u2019s proclamation follows a series of emergency actions already taken by the state, including animal movement restrictions, expanded surveillance efforts and coordination with federal agencies. State and federal officials have established an infested zone around the detection site, increased trapping efforts and are releasing millions of sterile flies designed to stop the parasite from reproducing.<\/p>\n
The governor also pledged state support to accelerate construction of a new sterile fly production facility in South Texas, a project officials say is critical to long-term eradication efforts. Current plans call for the facility to begin operating by May 2027.<\/p>\n
What is the New World screwworm?<\/p>\n
Despite its name, the New World screwworm is not actually a worm. It is the larval stage of a fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals.<\/p>\n
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into living tissue and feed on flesh, causing painful and potentially deadly infections if left untreated. The pest can affect livestock, pets, wildlife, birds and, in rare cases, humans.<\/p>\n
The parasite was eradicated from the United States in 1966 through a large-scale sterile fly program. Officials are now using the same technique as part of the current response effort.<\/p>\n
Why Texans should care<\/p>\n
Texas has the nation\u2019s largest cattle industry, and experts warn that an uncontrolled outbreak could have devastating consequences for ranchers, wildlife populations and the state\u2019s economy. Some estimates place potential losses at more than $1.8 billion if the parasite becomes established in Texas.<\/p>\n
Officials stress that the screwworm does not spread from person to person and does not pose a food safety threat. However, ranchers, pet owners and wildlife managers are being urged to closely monitor animals for wounds or signs of infestation and report suspected cases immediately.<\/p>\n
The discovery comes after the parasite steadily moved north through Central America and Mexico over the past several years, prompting growing concern among agriculture officials. Texas and federal agencies say aggressive containment efforts are underway to prevent additional cases and stop the pest from becoming established in the United States.<\/p>\n
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