Editor\u2019s Note: The above video originally aired on June 15.<\/p>\n
AUSTIN (KXAN) \u2014 Several Texas universities and research institutions have been selected to receive federal funding aimed at preventing the spread of the New World Screwworm, a parasite that can cause serious harm to livestock and wildlife.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded roughly $105 million nationwide through its New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, a program designed to support new tools and technologies for detecting, controlling and eradicating the parasite.<\/p>\n
According to the Governor\u2019s Office, Texas recipients include Texas Tech University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and other Texas A&M entities.<\/p>\n
The USDA launched the grant competition in January as part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation\u2019s defenses against the parasite. The agency said it received 226 applications seeking roughly $664 million before selecting 40 projects for funding.<\/p>\n
The funded projects will focus on a range of strategies, including improving sterile insect techniques, developing new traps and lures, creating treatments, expanding AI-powered surveillance and using drones for monitoring efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cTexas is no stranger to the New World screwworm threat and we are prepared to push this danger out of our state for good,\u201d the governor\u2019s office said in a statement announcing the awards.<\/p>\n
MAP: Where have New World screwworm cases been reported in Texas? <\/a><\/p>\n