Texas Gov Greg Abbott issues disaster declaration over screwworm threat

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide catastrophe declaration Thursday to stop the potential unfold of the New World screwworm fly to the Lone Star State as he strives to raised shield livestock and wildlife.

The governor’s declaration permits the Texas New World Screwworm Response Workforce to make use of all state authorities prevention and response sources to stop the unfold of the parasite to Texas.

The New World screwworm fly is spreading north from Mexico to the border it shares with the US

FLESH-EATING PARASITES DETECTED IN AMERICAN TRAVELER RETURNING FROM CENTRAL AMERICA

The New World screwworm fly is spreading north from Mexico to the border it shares with the US (Getty Pictures)

“Though the New World screwworm fly shouldn’t be but current in Texas or the U.S., its northward unfold from Mexico to the U.S. southern border poses a critical risk to Texas livestock and wildlife,” Abbott stated in a press release.

“State regulation authorizes me to behave to stop a risk of contamination that might trigger critical harm to Texas property, and I can’t look forward to such harm to achieve our livestock and wildlife,” he continued.

Along with his statewide catastrophe declaration, the governor stated the Texas New World Screwworm Response Workforce can “absolutely make the most of all state authorities prevention and response sources to stop the re-emergence of this harmful parasite.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide catastrophe declaration to stop the potential unfold of New World screwworm to the Lone Star State. (Getty Pictures)

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Texas officers are ready to utterly eradicate the pest if needed, the governor stated.

Abbott has taken preventative motion in opposition to the New World screwworm risk by directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division and the Texas Animal Well being Fee to ascertain a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Workforce.

The governor additionally highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Division of Agriculture to create a brand new $750 million home sterile New World Screwworm manufacturing facility close to Edinburg, Texas.

USDA ANNOUNCES A $750M STERILE FLY BREEDING PROGRAM TO PROTECT LIVESTOCK FROM MEXICAN CARN-EATING MAGGOGS

The governor highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Division of Agriculture to create a brand new $750 million home sterile New World Screwworm manufacturing facility close to Edinburg, Texas. (Getty Pictures)

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The Division of Agriculture stated in August that the New World screwworm is a “devastating pest.”

“When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a residing animal, they trigger critical, typically deadly harm to the animal. NWS can infect livestock, pets, wildlife, typically birds and, in uncommon instances, people. Not solely is it a risk to our livestock group, however it’s also a risk to our meals provide and our nationwide safety,” the division stated on the time.