Gov. Greg Abbott has unveiled an expanded state website, housed within the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Disaster Portal, to centralize information and resources for Texans about the New World screwworm (NWS).
The site, screwworm.texas.gov, is intended to serve as a single hub for materials produced by state agency partners working on the NWS response, the governor’s office announced.
What is the New World Screwworm?
The New World screwworm is a fly that lays its eggs in the open wounds and body openings of warm-blooded animals. The “eggs hatch into parasitic maggots that burrow into and feed on the living tissue or flesh,” according to the CDC. As of Friday, 11 cases of confirmed screwworm infestations have been reported in Texas.
A Direct Threat to Texas Livestock and Our Rural Economy
“The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, and our rural economy,” Abbott said. “This new website puts essential tools in the hands of our producers, veterinarians, and families. Screwworm.texas.gov delivers the facts, maps, identification methods, and certification resources Texans need to detect problems early and report cases without delay.
“Now every Texan has the information to act. Texas will protect our land, our animals, and our way of life from this pest,” Abbott added.
Resources Available on Screwworm.texas.gov
The portal offers fact sheets, videos, and educational materials, along with guidance on how to spot NWS and how to collect samples. Users can also view Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) NWS zone maps, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) case dashboard, and links to best practices for livestock and wildlife.
The site also provides registration details for a no-cost NWS Certified Inspector Training course.
Statewide Response Efforts
State and federal agencies are continuing joint efforts to detect, control, and contain the pest, with expanded public outreach described as a central piece of that work.
Abbott’s prior actions on NWS include directing the formation of a joint Texas NWS Response Team comprising state agencies, producers, veterinarians, wildlife experts, and federal partners. He also joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to announce a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg.
The governor issued a statewide disaster declaration ahead of the first detection and activated the State Emergency Operations Center after the first confirmed NWS cases in Texas. He also attended a briefing with Rollins and federal partners at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville.
Additional steps have included launching a free online certification course for NWS inspectors and announcing federal funding to expand inspection capacity.
How to Report Suspected Cases
Texans are urged to examine livestock and pets for wounds and to report suspected cases, including those involving wildlife. Reports involving livestock and pets can be made to the TAHC’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242, while wildlife cases can be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Officials advise against moving affected animals.
