The Texas Animal Health Commission has imposed a quarantine on warm-blooded animals in parts of 10 Texas counties following an increase in New World screwworm cases, according to state officials.
The commission said the quarantine applies to affected zones within Edwards, Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Sutton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb and Zavala counties. Gillespie County, the closest to Austin, is located about 70 miles west of the city. Officials said the restriction does not cover entire counties but only designated infected areas.
Austin Wildlife Rescue said it will not accept rescued warm-blooded animals from the quarantined zones while the order remains in effect. The organization said it continues to accept cold-blooded animals such as reptiles.
Austin Wildlife Rescue Executive Director Jules Maron said the organization typically receives only a small number of animals from the affected counties and does not expect major operational disruptions. Maron said the quarantine aims to limit animal movement and reduce the spread of screwworm.
Officials said the New World screwworm fly lays eggs in open wounds on warm-blooded animals, and larvae feed on living tissue. Austin Animal Services Chief Veterinarian Debbie Elliott said the flies are attracted to waste, stagnant water and feces, and she advised pet owners to reduce these conditions to lower risk.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported eight screwworm cases in Texas. Officials said Travis County has no reported cases, but county authorities issued a disaster declaration as a precaution. Inspection checkpoints have been established in affected zones to regulate animal transport.
The USDA said it is releasing sterile screwworm flies through aerial dispersal, ground-based release stations, and truck deployments to reduce the pest population. Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are assisting with dispersal site identification.
Texas Animal Health Commission spokesperson Erin Robinson said animal owners should inspect livestock and pets regularly and report any suspected cases. Robinson said at least one infected calf has recovered.
Austin Animal Center marketing manager Elizabeth Ferrer said pet owners who suspect infection should contact a veterinarian and use protective measures, including gloves and covering wounds during transport. She said municipal shelters are required to accept animals even if a county-wide quarantine is imposed.
Austin Wildlife Rescue said it is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to determine procedures for future intake of animals from quarantined areas.
