EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ORDER DECLARING ANIMAL MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS DUE TO NEWWORLD SCREWWORM IN UVALDE AND ZAVALA COUNTIES

 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ORDER DECLARING ANIMAL MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS DUE TO NEWWORLD SCREWWORM IN UVALDE AND ZAVALA COUNTIES

New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly that poses a serious threat to livestock, exotic livestock, fowl, and exotic fowl in Texas. NWS flies lay eggs in wounds or soft tissues of live warm-blooded animals; the larvae hatch and burrow into living tissue, leading to the painful condition NWS myiasis. As the infestation worsens and the wounds become larger, it can cause serious injury, secondary infection, and can be fatal if not treated.  

                                     

 NWS is recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture as a foreign animal disease that has poses a threat to U.S. agriculture, wildlife, public health, and the economy. 

 On January 29, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation for all counties in Texas due to the threat NWS poses to the state’s livestock industry, economy, and the potential for widespread and severe property damage for Texas. Governor Abbot has renewed the proclamation each month since. 

 The Texas Animal Health Commission (the “Commission”) is authorized under Chapter 161, Texas Agriculture Code, to establish movement restrictions against all or a portion of a state in which an animal disease exists to protect livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl in this state from the disease. 

 As specified in Title 4, Texas Administrative Code §37.1, the Commission may quarantine any area, county, or part of a county within the state which has been determined to be infested with NWS. Additionally, under Title 4 Texas Administrative Code §58.2, the Executive Director of the Commission is authorized to act for the Commission in order to respond expeditiously to an animal health emergency and may act to eradicate and control any disease or agent of disease transmission that affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl from a disease or agent of transmission recognized by the USDA as a foreign animal disease or is the subject of state of emergency as declared by the Governor of Texas.

 On June 3, 2026, NWS was detected in a bovine in Zavala County. The Executive Director finds that NWS poses a serious threat to livestock, exotic livestock, fowl, and exotic fowl in Texas.

The Executive Director further finds that moving infested animals can spread NWS flies and larvae, cause new infestations, and may increase the overall NWS population. Stopping the movement of infested animals and ensuring animals are moved safely is essential to limit the spread of NWS and reduce its impact in Texas.

 Due to the detection of NWS in Zavala County, the following areas of Uvalde and Zavala Counties are designated as Infested Zone 01: 

To protect the health of animals in this state, reduce the spread of NWS to non infested animals, and prevent NWS from establishing in new areas, a quarantine is imposed on the Infested Zone 01. 

Infested Zone 01 is subject to the following animal movement restrictions: 

 Warm-blooded animals located within Infested Zone 01 may not be moved outside of the zone without prior authorization from the Commission. Any person in possession or control of such animals must obtain permission and comply with all conditions set by the Commission before transporting the animals beyond the quarantine boundaries. 

 To move warm-blooded animals outside of Infested Zone 01, the animal must be inspected and treated as required by the Commission and issued a permit or certificate for movement by a Commission representative. 

 Hides, carcasses, and parts of any animal capable of serving as a host for NWS must be inspected and undergo any treatment deemed necessary by a Commission representative prior to removal from the Infested Zone 01. 

 Unauthorized movement is prohibited and subject to administrative penalties and/or criminal prosecution. 

 This order is issued pursuant to Texas Agriculture Code, Chapters 161 – 168, and applicable regulations found in Title 4 of the Texas Administrative Code, Part 2, Chapters 31 – 60 and is effective immediately.

 This order will remain in effect until the quarantine is released by the Commission. 

 Signed June 3, 2026.