Representatives from state agencies and the livestock industry are visiting Llano to provide insight on the New World screwworm outbreak that is spreading across Texas. 

An informational question and answer session is planned for 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, at the Lyssy and Eckel meeting room, at 105 E. Young Street in Llano. Officials from the Texas Animal Health Commission, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Jordan Cattle Auction will be the featured speakers. 

The event is free to attend and sponsored by the Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association. 

The worm

Llano County has been on high alert since a confirmed case of New World screwworm was detected in neighboring Gillespie County on June 10. The county is currently under a local state of disaster in response to the close proximity of the parasitic pest. 

• Report suspected livestock cases to the TAHC Region Office at 512-719-0700
• Report suspected wildlife cases to the TPWD at 512-389-4505

The screwworm is the larval form of the New World screwworm fly, and unlike an average maggot, it feeds on the live flesh of its host, potentially causing severe tissue damage and death if left untreated. Any warm-blooded animal with an open wound or body cavity is susceptible to infection. This includes livestock, wildlife, pets, and even people. 

Graphic images: See New World screwworm infection images from the United States Department of Agriculture at this link- New World Screwworm photo gallery. 

The pest wrecked havoc on the Texas livestock industry for decades before being effectively eradicated in the United States by the 1980s.  In 1976 alone, the Texas economy lost about $329.59 million due to livestock deaths from a New World screwworm outbreak. Accounting for inflation, that would have been $1.8 billion in 2024. About 1.48 million cattle were reportedly infected in that outbreak. 

The state and federal government are currently collaborating on combatting the screwworm outbreak using the sterile insect technique, which is done by releasing large amounts of sterilized male flies into an infection zone. When the sterile males mate with females, their eggs are not viable, and the bug’s breeding cycle is interrupted. This was the successful method used for eradication decades ago. 

Some prevention methods recommended by the TAHC are:

• Keeping open wounds clean and covered
• Working closely with veterinarians on preventative treatments
• Ensure pets and livestock are inspected when before, during, and after traveling

See the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s animal drugs for the New World screwworm webpage for more information on medical treatment. 

dakota@thepicayune.com