AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Leaders in Travis and Caldwell Counties are taking proactive steps to try and combat the New World screwworm threat as cases continue to mount in Texas.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden both signed disaster declarations Friday morning. Neither county has a confirmed case yet; the closest is in Gillespie County.
The New World screwworm is a flesh-eating parasitic fly; it poses a severe risk to livestock, wildlife, pets, and, rarely, humans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fly lays its eggs in the open wounds or exposed mucous membranes — such as the eyes, nose, and mouth — of living, warm-blooded animals. The hatching larvae then grow by feeding on the host's living tissue.
Officials say the preemptive declarations will unlock funding, streamline resource coordination, and prepare local healthcare and agricultural systems for potential outbreaks. The local actions follow a statewide disaster declaration by Gov. Greg Abbott and active animal quarantines in 10 other Texas counties.
The outbreak began on June 3 when a Zavala County calf was confirmed to have the parasite, marking the first U.S. detection in decades. Detections have steadily increased since, primarily affecting cattle, though two goats and a dog have also been infected.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all but one of the recent U.S. cases are located in Texas.
Brown said the county's natural resources program is already monitoring public lands using remote cameras and field observations to spot unusual wildlife behavior.
"This declaration is a proactive measure that allows us to better coordinate resources, strengthen communication with our state and federal partners, and ensure we're prepared to respond quickly if this pest is detected in our region," Brown said. Any suspected cases found on county land will be immediately documented and reported to the state.
Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden urged livestock owners to rigorously maintain parasite prevention, inspect their animals for signs of infestation, and report any suspected cases to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).
Local health officials are also preparing for the possibility of human exposure. Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County health authority, confirmed that the local healthcare system is actively educating medical providers on how to identify, report, and treat screwworm cases. Officials advise residents to closely monitor pets for unhealed wounds, foul odors, or visible larvae, and to contact a veterinarian immediately if symptoms appear.
In response to the growing outbreak, the TAHC is currently enforcing an animal quarantine across parts of 10 counties south of the Austin area. As a resulting containment measure, Austin Wildlife Rescue has stopped accepting warm-blooded animals originating from those quarantined zones.
