Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Public Health and Safety has detected 11 cases of New World screwworm in Tamaulipas state bordering Texas since Dec. 30, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
“It’s just plain cowboy logic—when you’re seeing this many cases, this fast, it tells you there may be established screwworm fly populations in Tamaulipas,” said TDA Commissioner Sid Miller, who noted eight of the cases are new. “We’re grateful sterile fly deployment has begun but make no mistake, Texas producers need to stay on high alert along our border.”
However, the Texas Department of Agriculture has not received confirmation that the affected animals reported by the Mexican agency have a history of movement outside Tamaulipas, raising concerns that the pest may now be spreading naturally rather than being introduced through animal movement.
