06/14/2026
On June 11, 2026, New World Screwworm (NWS) was confirmed in a calf with an umbilical lesion in Tom Green County. Federal and State partners work jointly in the infested zone to conduct animal and fly surveillance, epidemiological investigations, and implement existing response protocols.
A portion of Irion County is in an "Adjacent Surveillance Zone" where animal movement restrictions do not apply. Within these zones, sterile fly dispersal, fly surveillance, and passive animal surveillance may be initiated. Thorough, producer-led animal surveillance is critical to detect and slow/stop the spread of NWS. To find out if your property is within the Adjacent Surveillance Zone, you can use the interactive zone map provided by the Texas Animal Health Commission. This map can be accessed at: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html
In addition to the TAHC, resources can be located through the following:
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm
United States Department of Agriculture:
https://screwworm.gov/
Texas Parks and Wildlife:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/diseases/screwworm/
Please look only to established, reliable sources for confirmation of screwworm cases. There is no need for panic. New World Screwworm is an invasive pest and does not constitute a food-safety concern. New World Screwworm is not a food safety concern.
New World Screwworm symptoms to check for in pets, livestock, and wildlife:
-maggots in wounds or body openings that are draining or enlarging
-open wounds of any size (wounds as small as a tick bite can attract flies)
-insect egg masses in or around the wound
-loss of appetite and behavioral changes (lethargy, isolation, in pain)
-secondary infection in treated wounds
Work closely with your veterinarian for wound care. To report suspected cases, contact the Texas Animal Health Commission at (800)-550-8242.
