Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate the State Emergency Operations Center at Level II, or Escalated Response, as Texas intensifies efforts to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm.
The move comes days after Abbott expanded a state disaster declaration related to the threat posed by the parasitic pest, which can infest livestock, wildlife and other animals.
Recommended Videos
“I have activated the full use of all state resources to respond to the New World Screwworm threat,” Abbott said in a statement. “The protection of our ranchers, livestock producers, deer breeders, and the Texas economy from this pest is a top priority. We have eradicated this pest before, and we will do it again in close cooperation with our federal partners.”
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. If left untreated, infestations can cause severe injury or death in livestock and wildlife.
At the governor’s direction, representatives from several state agencies and emergency management partners have been called to the State Operations Center, including:
- Texas Animal Health Commission
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
- Texas Department of Agriculture
- Texas Department of State Health Services
State officials are urging ranchers, livestock producers, hunters and pet owners to remain vigilant and inspect animals daily for wounds or signs of infestation.
Suspected cases in livestock should be reported immediately to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242. Suspected cases involving wildlife should be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-389-4505.
The state said it is coordinating closely with federal partners as officials work to prevent the pest from spreading into Texas and impacting the agriculture industry, wildlife populations and the state’s economy.
Texans can find the latest information and resources through the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.