Latest infestations include Medina Co.
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At press time Wednesday, July 1, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the total number of confirmed New World screwworm cases is 21, an increase from 16 (reported in the Anvil Herald June 25), including the first case in Medina County.
“NWS poses a serious threat in Texas to livestock, exotic livestock, fowl and exotic fowl,” according to Texas Animal Health Commission.
Due to the recent detections, TAHC Executive Director Lewis R. Dinges, D.V.M. designated areas of the following counties as Infested Zones:
• The TAHC Executive Director Order declared animal movement restrictions due to an NWS detection in a bovine in Medina County June 23. As a result, Dr. Dinges’ order designated portions of Medina, Bandera and Uvalde counties as Infested Zone 09 on June 24.
• On June 25, NWS was detected in a sheep in Edwards County. Due to the additional detection of NWS in Edwards County, the executive director modified the June 21 order for Infested Zone 04.B and designated it as Infested Zone 04.C in areas of Edwards, Sutton and Val Verde counties.
• After NWS was detected in a bovine in Jim Hogg County June 25, Dinges designated areas of Jim Hogg, Starr and Zapata counties as Infested Zone 10.
• Dr. Dinges issued a Second Modified Executive Director Order June 27 following a new detection of NWS in a bovine in Crockett County. Due to the previous detection, Dinges designated Crockett, Schleicher, Sutton and Val Verde counties as Infested Zone 07.B.
• On June 30, a TAHC Executive Director Order declared areas of Uvalde County as Infested Zone 11 following a detection of NWS in a bovine on June 29.
“Because movement of animals infested with NWS can spread NWS flies and larvae, cause new infestations and may increase the overall NWS population,” according to TAHC Executive Director Dinges, “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.”
All executive orders are effective immediately and remain in effect until released by TAHC.
For more information about NWS, visit screwworm.gov or https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html.
