Gov. Abbot is taking action and warning that the fly “poses a serious threat to Texas livestock industry and wildlife.”
DALLAS — Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration aimed at preventing the northward spread of the New World screwworm fly, a parasitic insect that poses serious risks to livestock, wildlife and, in rare cases, humans.
Although the screwworm fly “is not yet present in Texas or the U.S.,” Abbott said in the release, its movement toward the U.S.–Mexico border “poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife.” The declaration gives state teams expanded authority and resources to prevent a possible infestation.
Abbott has already directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to form a joint response team and is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a new $750 million sterile fly production facility in Edinburg to help stop the pest before it arrives.
What Is the New World Screwworm Fly?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals and people. The condition — called myiasis — happens when flies lay eggs in open wounds; the hatching maggots burrow into flesh, causing painful, foul-smelling injuries.
The CDC notes that NWS typically affects livestock and wildlife, but can also infest humans who have open wounds and are in areas where the flies are present.
Why the Concern for Texas?
While New World screwworm has been eradicated from the U.S. for decades, recent outbreaks in Mexico and Central America have officials on alert as the pest moves north. If left uncontrolled, screwworm infestations can cause severe tissue damage and even death in animals, with economic impacts for ranchers and wildlife populations.
For North Texans, the threat is primarily agricultural and wildlife-related, though human cases can occur when people with open wounds are exposed.
CDC Advises Vigilance
CDC guidance on prevention emphasizes keeping wounds clean and covered and seeing a healthcare provider immediately if maggots are seen or felt in a wound. Larvae must be removed by a medical professional; DIY removal is discouraged.
As Texas ramps up response efforts, officials urge livestock owners and outdoor enthusiasts to stay informed and report any unusual animal injuries to state animal health agencies.