Governor Greg Abbott has declared a statewide disaster in Texas to help prevent the spread of the New World screwworm fly, which threatens livestock and wildlife. The declaration aims to strengthen the efforts of the Texas New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Team as concerns grow about the parasite’s movement 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 from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife,” said Governor Abbott. “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. With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite. Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be.”
As part of these preventive measures, Governor Abbott has directed both the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to form a joint response team focused on combating any potential outbreak of NWS in Texas. In addition, there is collaboration with federal partners, including an initiative with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins, for a new $750 million Domestic Sterile NWS Production Facility located in Edinburg, Texas.
The sterile insect technique is often used as an effective way to control populations of pests like screwworm flies by releasing sterilized males into affected areas so they cannot reproduce.
