TAHC issues partial quarantines for 7 Texas counties, including Gillespie, Kerr and Kimble

The Texas Animal Commission (TAHC) has imposed a quarantine and movement restrictions on animals in seven Texas counties after the detection of New World screwworm.  Under the order, warm-blooded animals within the quarantine zone cannot be moved outside the area without prior authorization from the commission.  Animals must be inspected, treated if necessary and issued permits before being transported beyond the quarantine borders.  Restrictions also apply to animal hides, carcasses and other animal parts that could serve as hosts for the parasite.

TAHC announced that quarantine zones have been established in parts of Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, Uvalde, Webb and Zavala counties.  The latest quarantine order, known as Infested Zone 03, was finalized Monday.

The parasite feeds on mammals, impacting the cattle industry and other animals.  The New World Screwworm is a flesh-eating fly larva that infests open wounds on warm-blooded animals.  Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe injury and, in some cases, death if left untreated.

Screwworms can devastate livestock herds.  The invasive parasites became a significant problem in the U.S. in the 1950’s and were eradicated from the country in 1966.  The pests are primarily found in South America and the Caribbean but have been migrating northward over the past several months.

There are now a total of five cases in the U.S., including a goat in Gillespie County.  Cases were also confirmed in calves in La Salle and Zavalla counties  and a dog in Lea County, New Mexico.  The dog was originally reported to be a Texas case, but officials said they’ve learned the dog lives in New Mexico.