Texas Governor Issues Disaster Declaration Over Spread of Parasitic Screwworm

The New World screwworm isn’t yet present in the United States or Texas, officials say.
Texas Governor Issues Disaster Declaration Over Spread of Parasitic Screwworm
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to the media at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. AP Photo/Eric Gay
Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
|Updated:
0:00

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said he imposed a statewide disaster declaration to prevent the spread of a type of parasitic fly in his state.

The New World screwworm isn’t yet present in the United States or Texas, although officials say it has been spreading toward the U.S.–Mexico border. Abbot said it can cause potential problems for the U.S. livestock industry if it spreads northward across the border.

Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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