The Texas Animal Health Commission has declared animal movement restrictions in two counties after New World screwworm (NWS) was found in Zavala County, effective immediately.
On June 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the detection of NWS in a three-week-old calf. This is the first detection of the pest in the United States since 1966.
NWS flies lay eggs in wounds or soft tissues of live warm-blooded animals; the larvae hatch and burrow into living tissue, leading to the painful condition NWS myiasis. As the infestation worsens and the wounds become larger, it can cause serious injury, secondary infection, and can be fatal if not treated. NWS is recognized by the USDA as a foreign animal disease that has poses a threat to U.S. agriculture, wildlife, public health and the economy.
Movement of affected animals is one of the most common ways NWS spreads. Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director Lewis Dinges said moving infested animals can spread NWS flies and larvae, cause new infestations, and may increase the overall NWS population. Stopping the movement of infested animals and ensuring animals are moved safely is essential to limit the spread of NWS and reduce its impact in Texas.
Areas of Uvalde and Zavala counties in Texas have been designated as an infested zone. To protect the health of animals in this state, reduce the spread of NWS to non-infested animals and prevent NWS from establishing in new areas, a quarantine is imposed on the infested zone. That zone is subject to the following animal movement restrictions:
Warm-blooded animals located within the infested zone may not be moved outside of the zone without prior authorization from the Texas Animal Health Commission. Any person in possession or control of such animals must obtain permission and comply with all conditions set by the commission before transporting the animals beyond the quarantine boundaries.
To move warm-blooded animals outside of the infested zone, the animal must be inspected and treated as required by the commission and issued a permit or certificate for movement by a commission representative.
Hides, carcasses and parts of any animal capable of serving as a host for NWS must be inspected and undergo any treatment deemed necessary by a commission representative prior to removal from the infested zone.
Unauthorized movement is prohibited and subject to administrative penalties and/or criminal prosecution.
