Abbott issues disaster declaration over flesh-eating fly

Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration over a flesh-eating fly that could affect food supply.  The New World Screwworm (NWS), a parasitic fly whose flesh-eating larvae can cause severe tissue damage in warm-blooded animals and occasionally humans.  The fly has not yet been detected in Texas or the United States, but cases in Northern Mexico have raised concerns for a northward spread toward the US.

Mexico’s animal health authority confirmed earlier this month that there were more than a dozen reported cases of NWS in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas.  Several of those cases are still active.  The northernmost active case is 197 miles from the Texas border.

“Although the New World Screwworm fly is not yet present in Texas or the US, its northward spread from Mexico toward the US southern border poses serious threats to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife,” Abbott said in a statement released January 29.  The disaster declaration allows the Texas NWS Response Team – a group created last summer to address the NWS threat – to use all state government resources for prevention and potential eradication.

“The Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite,” said Abbott in a release.  “Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be.”  A $750 million Domestic Sterile New World Screwworm Production Facility is already being constructed in Edinburg.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller had previously urged for heightened surveillance following the spread of cases in Mexico.  Miller encourages all ranchers to closely inspect animals for any wounds.