Additional New World Screwworm-infested zones have been released in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service approved the releases of these zones after concurrence from Texas’ state veterinarian Dr. Bud Dinges and the Texas Animal Health Commission. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins said, “The Texas Animal Health Commission has been an outstanding partner throughout our response to New World screwworm. Their vigilance, on-the-ground expertise, and unwavering commitment to protecting livestock and wildlife have been essential to our shared success.”
“Thanks to this strong federal-state partnership, we’ve been able to identify cases early, respond aggressively, and slow the spread of New World screwworm across affected areas. Today’s milestone demonstrates the power of coordinated action, showing producers, communities, and the nation that when we work together, we can protect animal health and maintain continuity of business even in challenging situations,” Hoskins added.
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.