As Texas officials ramp up efforts to stop the spread of the New World screwworm, many Texans are wondering whether the flesh-eating parasite could affect their families and pets.

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.

Federal officials have confirmed the presence of the New World screwworm in Texas, marking the first U.S. detection of the flesh-eating parasite in decades and raising concerns for livestock owners, pet owners, and wildlife experts across the state.