- APHIS has lifted New World screwworm infested-zone designations for two areas covering portions of five Texas counties.
- The action affects portions of La Salle, Webb, Gillespie, Kerr and Kimble counties.
- NWS-related inspection and movement requirements for livestock and pets have been removed in the released areas.
- Other New World screwworm infested zones remain in effect in Texas.
- APHIS and the Texas Animal Health Commission continue surveillance and other response activities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has lifted New World screwworm (NWS) infested-zone designations for two areas in Texas, marking the first such zone releases in the state since the first Texas case was detected June 3.
The action covers Infested Zone 02.A, which includes portions of La Salle and Webb counties, and Infested Zone 03, covering portions of Gillespie, Kerr and Kimble counties.
APHIS said state and federal animal health experts determined both areas had satisfied requirements established in the agency’s New World Screwworm Response Playbook.
NWS movement requirements lifted
Releasing the zones removes NWS-specific movement and inspection requirements for livestock and pets within the affected areas. Producers can resume normal intrastate and interstate movement without NWS inspections, although other interstate requirements and applicable international animal export requirements remain in effect.
APHIS and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) have responded to confirmed cases through animal movement requirements, wildlife and fly surveillance and strategic releases of sterile NWS flies.
Several Texas infested zones remain active. Animal owners and veterinarians can check current zone boundaries and movement requirements using the TAHC NWS zone map.
Additional response information is available from screwworm.gov and the TAHC New World Screwworm resource page.
Information sourced from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
