AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration Thursday to preemptively combat the potential spread of the New World screwworm fly into Texas, aiming to protect the state’s livestock and wildlife.
The declaration empowers the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to stop the parasite from entering Texas. The fly, which burrows into the flesh of living animals, is spreading north from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border.
“Although the New World screwworm fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife,” Abbott said. “State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife.”
Abbott directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to establish a joint response team. He also announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a $750 million sterile New World screwworm production facility near Edinburg, Texas, aimed at producing sterile flies to control and eradicate infestations.
The USDA has described the New World screwworm as a “devastating pest” that can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, and occasionally birds or humans. The larvae burrow into living flesh, causing serious and sometimes fatal injuries. The agency warned that the pest poses a risk not only to the ranching industry but also to the nation’s food supply and security.
Abbott emphasized that Texas officials are prepared to fully eradicate the screwworm fly if necessary and that the disaster declaration ensures all state resources can be deployed promptly to prevent its emergence in the Lone Star State.
