- The stream will begin soon as we are waiting on Abbott’s arrival
AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to address the ongoing response to the confirmed case of the New World screwworm in Texas.
The news conference is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in Austin.
Abbott will be joined by Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D., Director of the New World Screwworm Directorate for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rear Adm. Michael Schmoyer, along with other elected officials and state responders.
What is the New World screwworm?
Despite its name, the New World screwworm is not actually a worm. It is the larval stage of a fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals.
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into living tissue and feed on flesh, causing painful and potentially deadly infections if left untreated. The pest can affect livestock, pets, wildlife, birds and, in rare cases, humans.
The parasite was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s through a large-scale sterile fly program. However, a small outbreak occurred in Florida in 2016 and was quickly eliminated.
Why Texans should care
Texas has the largest cattle industry in the nation, and experts warn that a widespread outbreak could have significant economic consequences for ranchers and consumers alike.
Federal officials have already established quarantine zones, increased surveillance efforts and begun releasing sterile flies to prevent the pest from becoming established in the United States.
The discovery comes after the parasite steadily moved north through Central America and Mexico over the past several years, prompting growing concern among agriculture officials.
KPRC 2 will livestream the event in the video player above.