Hidalgo County, state monitor screwworm situation

The state of Texas has officially entered a statewide disaster due to more confirmed cases of the New World screwworm this past week and some change.

Two initial cases, according to news outlets, were discovered in newborn calves in Zavala County this past weekend. The county, although it’s not neighboring us like Cameron or Starr, is about a four-hour drive.

On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to Kerrville to speak at a research facility and update the state about the ongoing response to the screwworm threat.

“Sterile flies are the well-established solution to the spread of the New World screwworm,” Abbott said, while sitting next to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “The USDA is importing and dispersing those flies across South Texas and will recalibrate to deploy those sterile flies wherever needed.”

“Texas is resilient. It is critical to stay vigilant and stay informed,” Abbott said in the same news release.

The USDA said in a statement on Monday that the sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base, which is in Edinburg, has been activated.

“Sterile pupae arrived at the facility on Friday, and aerial dispersal flights originating from the base will begin tomorrow,” the USDA said in a release.

According to the CDC, the first case of the New World Screwworm was on June 3. The second was on June 5, just two days after. Those were in Zavala County.

Then on Monday, two cases were confirmed in La Salle County, in which two calves were infected.

More so, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services reported a case involving a dog in Andrews County.

Although, it believed to be an isolated case — according to the organization — and the dog resides in Lea County, New Mexico. It was just reported in Texas at the time. But yes, your furry loved ones are at risk of contracting the screwworm.

Then, the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a case in a goat in Gillespie County, Texas.

There are no reported cases in Hidalgo County.

However, there are six total active cases confirmed in the country. Texas has five of them. The dog is in New Mexico.

This past Friday, the county released a statement that communicates how they are handling the situation.

“We are closely monitoring the situation involving the New World screwworm recently re‑ported in Zavala County,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez said. “While there have been no reported cases in Hidalgo County, we are taking this matter seriously and are working closely with our state partners, including the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Department of State Health Services, to ensure we are prepared should a case arise in our region.”

Cortez also made note that they are in communication with other neighboring counties to coordinate their efforts amid the dire situation. With cattle being in the cross-hairs of the parasite, Cortez encouraged livestock owners to “remain vigilant” and report any concerns.

Why are they dangerous?

To keep it short, “screwworms” live by their name when it comes to being parasitic toward cattle and other living mammals.

According to the CDC, these nasty critters lay eggs in wounds and body openings such as the mouth, ears, nose.

So, think of it this way.

You have cows who are standing around close to one another. That makes it easy for the screwworms to multiply if not taken care of.

The eggs then hatch into parasitic maggots that feed on the living tissue of the animal.