Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to halt the northward advance of the New World screwworm fly. The order empowers a joint Texas response team to use state resources for surveillance, prevention and possible eradication. Abbott also announced a partnership with the USDA to build a $750 million sterile-fly production facility near Edinburg. Officials say the parasite—while not yet detected in Texas—poses a serious threat to livestock, wildlife, the food supply and national security.
Gov. Abbott Declares Statewide Disaster to Stop Screwworm Fly, Boosts $750M USDA Partnership
Gov Abbott issues disaster declaration to prevent screwworm fly infestation from spreading into Texas
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday issued a statewide disaster declaration aimed at stopping the northward advance of the New World screwworm fly and protecting the state’s livestock, wildlife and agricultural economy.
The New World screwworm fly is spreading north from Mexico toward the border it shares with the U.S.(Getty Images)
Swift Statewide Response
The declaration authorizes the newly formed Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to deploy all available state prevention and response resources to prevent the parasite from becoming established in Texas. Abbott directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to lead the joint response team and coordinate surveillance, treatment and potential eradication efforts.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to prevent the potential spread of the New World screwworm fly into the Lone Star State.
Why Officials Are Worried
State and federal officials say the New World screwworm fly is moving north from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border. Although the fly has not yet been detected in Texas or elsewhere in the continental United States, officials warn its spread could cause severe harm to livestock and wildlife.
The governor highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a new $750 million domestic sterile New World Screwworm production facility near Edinburg, Texas.
Abbott said: '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.'
Federal Partnership and Prevention Tools
Abbott highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a new $750 million domestic sterile New World screwworm production facility planned near Edinburg, Texas. The sterile-insect technique has been used historically to suppress and eradicate screwworm populations by releasing sterile males to interrupt breeding.
The USDA has described the New World screwworm as a "devastating pest," warning that larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals and can cause serious, often fatal injuries. The agency notes the parasite can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds and, in rare cases, people, and called the threat one to the food supply and national security.
Preparedness and Next Steps
With the disaster declaration in place, state officials say the response team can fully leverage state resources for surveillance, rapid treatment of affected animals, public outreach and, if necessary, full eradication efforts. Officials emphasize early detection, coordinated cross-agency response and community cooperation as critical to preventing outbreaks.
What livestock owners should know: Monitor animals for open wounds or signs of infestation, report suspicious cases to the Texas Animal Health Commission, and follow guidance from state and federal agencies on prevention and treatment.
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