Texas tightens – The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed three more New World screwworm cases in the United States, including two in Texas. In response, Texas placed parts of seven counties under quarantine and restricted warm-blooded animal movement, with unauthorized tr
By the second week of June, Texas was no longer treating New World screwworm as a distant threat.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed three additional cases in the United States, and among them were two new findings in Texas. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the additional cases of New World screwworm had been confirmed. bringing the urgency home to a state already managing its own growing caseload.
Rollins’ announcement landed as Texas moved to limit how the pest can spread. The Texas Animal Health Commission placed parts of seven counties under quarantine to restrict animal movement, a move designed to keep warm-blooded animals from being transported out of affected zones without oversight.
On Tuesday, June 9, Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director Lewis Dinges placed parts of Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle and Webb counties under animal movement restrictions after cases were confirmed in Gillespie and La Salle on June 8.
The quarantines build on an earlier step. Parts of Zavala and Uvalde counties were placed under a Texas Animal Health Commission quarantine order on June 3 after the first U.S. case was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Within the quarantined areas, the restrictions are detailed and strict.
Warm-blooded animals located within the quarantined area may not be moved outside of the zone without prior authorization from the Texas Animal Health Commission. Any person in possession or control of such animals in the quarantine areas must obtain permission and comply with all conditions set by the Texas Animal Health Commission before transporting the animals beyond the quarantine boundaries.
If warm-blooded animals are moved outside a quarantined area, the animal must be inspected and treated as required by the Texas Animal Health Commission and issued a permit or certificate for movement by a Texas Animal Health Commission representative.
The rules also extend beyond live animals. Hides, carcasses, and parts of any animal that can serve as a host for the screwworm must be inspected and treated as deemed necessary by a Texas Animal Health Commission representative prior to removal from the quarantine areas.
Texas also made consequences clear. Unauthorized movement is prohibited and may result in administrative penalties or criminal prosecution.
The case map is widening, and so is the effort to contain it. Texas has six cases overall: Edwards County has one case found in domestic cattle; Gillespie County has one case found in a domestic goat; La Salle County has two cases found in domestic cattle; and Zavala County has two cases found in domestic cattle.
Outside Texas, the risk is not confined to state lines. A case has been confirmed in a dog in New Mexico. It was first reported June 7 by a veterinarian in Andrews County, Texas, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies it as a Lea County, New Mexico case because the dog lives there.
Taken together. the timeline shows how quickly confirmations can translate into new restrictions: first the June 3 quarantine order affecting parts of Zavala and Uvalde. then the June 8 case confirmations prompting restrictions that began June 9 across additional counties. The quarantine language itself mirrors that urgency—movement is allowed only with inspection, treatment, and official authorization.
For ranchers. pet owners. and anyone responsible for animals that could host the pest. the message from Texas and Washington is straightforward. If you are in a quarantined area. getting permission and following the Texas Animal Health Commission’s conditions is not optional—moving without authorization can trigger penalties and criminal prosecution.
New World screwworm Texas Animal Health Commission Brooke Rollins Lewis Dinges animal movement restrictions USDA screwworm cases quarantine order Gillespie County La Salle County Zavala County Uvalde County Edwards County Kerr County Kimble County Webb County Lea County New Mexico