Destructive livestock parasite makes its way to Central Texas

No cases yet in Wilco

  • A New World screwworm fly. (Mexican-American Commission for the Eradication of the Screwworm)
    A New World screwworm fly. (Mexican-American Commission for the Eradication of the Screwworm)
  • A New World screwworm larvae. (Courtesy United States Department of Agriculture)
    A New World screwworm larvae. (Courtesy United States Department of Agriculture)

    Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed its first cases of New World Screwworm, one of which was in Central Texas in Gillespie County near Fredericksburg. 

    Texas has confirmed 15 total cases across the state as of June 22. So far, none have been reported in Williamson County. 

    New World Screwworm, or NWS, is a species of parasitic blowfly. The fly’s larvae feed on…