Travis County commissioners have extended a local disaster declaration in response to the screwworm threat. The declaration, which was initially issued on June 12, allows the county to better coordinate resources and communicate with state and federal partners to prepare for a potential outbreak.

Background

As of June 17, twelve screwworm cases had been confirmed nationwide, including 11 animals in Texas and a dog from New Mexico. While one of the cases was in the Texas Hill Country, no infestations have been detected in Travis County or in native Texas wildlife.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been releasing sterile flies in affected areas for 90 days after a case is confirmed. The USDA considers a location cleared if no further infested animals are found by the end of that window.

Response Efforts

Travis County Natural Resources staff are incorporating surveillance into routine fieldwork and coordinating with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to monitor for signs of infestation. The county maintains roughly 40 remote wildlife cameras across preserve properties to help monitor for signs of infestation, alongside regular field observations of deer and feral hogs.

Residents are advised to check their animals daily for wounds, unusual behavior, or foul odors, and to contact a veterinarian if a screwworm infection is suspected. Residents who suspect a screwworm case involving wildlife should contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, while cases involving livestock and pets should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.