Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team deploy to help combat screwworm outbreak

The Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, or VET, has been deployed to the Texas Hill Country to help state officials responding to cases of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that can infect livestock, pets and wildlife. In rare cases, it can infect humans.

What's happening

The deployment comes as the Texas Animal Health Commission, or TAHC, continues inspections and response efforts following the confirmation of New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County on June 3. The case marked the first detection of the parasite in Texas since its spread from Central America and Mexico reached the state.

According to a news release from the university, 12 faculty and staff members from Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are part of the initial deployment. Team members will help conduct animal inspections, treatments and sample collection in affected areas.

“This is a unique deployment because the disaster is not as easy to see as it is when Mother Nature strikes, but our team is ready to help,” VET Director Dr. Deb Zoran said in a statement.

Some context

Since the initial detection, additional cases have been identified in Texas and New Mexico, including infections in a dog and a goat. TAHC established an infested zone covering portions of multiple counties in the Hill Country and South Texas, where animal movement restrictions are now in place.

State officials are encouraging those with livestock and pets to monitor animals closely for wounds or signs of infestation and seek veterinary care if concerns come up.

What's being done

The New World screwworm was eradicated from the United States in 1966 through sterile fly release programs. Federal and state agencies are now using similar eradication strategies in affected areas.