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 possibly death if not treated.

Due to the detection of New World Screwworm in neighboring Gillespie County, some areas of Kerr, as well as Kimble County, have been grouped with part of Gillespie County into Infested Zone #03.

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 has been imposed by the Texas Animal Health Commission and animal movements are restricted.

Please see the full details, as detailed by the Texas Animal Health Commission, in the official order in the downloadable/viewable document below:

Order Declaring Animal Movement Restrictions (PDF)

AFFECTED ZONES

To see an interactive map from the Texas Animal Health Commission click the following link:

TAHC Screwworm Interactive Map

Not sure where you are in proximity to the infected or surveillance zones? You can type your exact physical address in the map and it'll show you.

SCREWWORM FACTS:

Did you know that screwworms do NOT pose a food safety issue? The USDA states the parasite cannot spread through the consumption of meat, poultry or dairy product.

Screwworms are not a contagious disease or virus. Transmission only occurs when female screwworm flies lay eggs directly in an open wound or exposed mucous membrane of a warm-blooded animal.

For more FACTS and detailed information, visit:

Screwworm.gov

REPORT A CASE:

To report a suspected case of screwworm maggots in a wound on a warm-blooded animal, call:

LIVESTOCK - 1-800-550-8242 (TAHC)

NATIVE WILDLIFE - 512-389-4505 (TPWD)

Note: No need to report flies.