- The Texas Animal Health Commission has modified New World screwworm Infested Zone 15.
- USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service concurred with the action.
- State and federal experts confirmed that portions of the area met requirements for release under the APHIS New World Screwworm Response Playbook.
- The change removes NWS-related movement requirements for livestock and pets within certain areas.
- Interstate movement and international export requirements remain in effect.
- Several New World screwworm infested zones remain in place in Texas.
The Texas Animal Health Commission has modified New World screwworm Infested Zone 15 after state and federal experts determined that portions of the area met requirements for zone release.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service concurred with the action.
The determination was based on requirements outlined in APHIS’ New World Screwworm Response Playbook.
Movement requirements removed in certain areas
Modifying the infested zone removes New World screwworm-related movement requirements for livestock and pets within certain areas.
Interstate movement requirements and international export requirements will continue to apply.
Several New World screwworm infested zones in Texas also remain in place.
APHIS said it continues to work with TAHC to evaluate conditions for future zone releases.
Officials continue surveillance and response
Texas animal owners are being directed to the TAHC website for current information about the locations of infested zones, movement requirements and requirements specific to individual zones.
APHIS and TAHC said they will continue using science-based surveillance, early detection and rapid response measures and will release areas when applicable criteria have been met.
Additional information about New World screwworm and response activities is available through screwworm.gov and TAHC’s New World Screwworm resource page.
Information sourced from USDA APHIS.
