Abbott Declares Disaster Over Screwworm Invasion

Dallas,,Tx,-,August,4,,2022:,Governor,Of,Texas,Greg

Governor Greg Abbott’s bold disaster declaration shields Texas ranchers from a parasitic invasion creeping north from Mexico.

Story Highlights

Governor Abbott issues statewide disaster declaration on January 29, 2026, to preempt New World screwworm fly infestation threatening livestock and wildlife.
Pest detected just 200 miles south in Mexico, advancing independently toward the Texas border, endangering $20+ billion industry.
Activates Texas New World Screwworm Response Team with full state resources for surveillance and eradication readiness.
Federal investment of $750-$850 million builds a sterile fly facility near Edinburg, showcasing state-federal cooperation under President Trump.

Abbott Takes Decisive Action

Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration on January 29, 2026. This activates the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team, granting full access to state resources. The move targets the New World screwworm fly, a parasitic pest spreading northward from Mexico. Abbott emphasized prevention, stating he will not wait for harm to reach Texas livestock and wildlife. Texas officials stand ready for full eradication if the threat advances.

Texas Governor Abbott issues DISASTER DECLARATION in attempt to prevent New World Screwworm (NWS) fly infestation

The screworms' northward 'spread from Mexico toward the US southern border poses a serious threat to Texas' livestock industry and wildlife' pic.twitter.com/bKckgPSZJL

— RT (@RT_com) January 30, 2026

Pest Threat Advances from Southern Border

The New World screwworm, eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, re-emerged in Central America and now advances from Panama toward the U.S.-Mexico border. Recent detection occurred in a cow in González, Tamaulipas, 200 miles from Texas—the third case there. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller warns the parasite moves independently, bypassing commercial cattle routes. USDA labels it a devastating pest that burrows into living animals, causing deadly damage to livestock, wildlife, pets, and rarely humans. This threatens Texas’s vital ranching economy and national food supply.

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Coordinated Response Mobilizes Resources

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partners with the Texas Animal Health Commission to form a joint response team. This group prioritizes coordination, information-sharing, and stakeholder engagement with federal and industry partners. A sterile male fly production facility under construction near Edinburg will produce 300 million sterile flies weekly. This scientific method disrupts pest reproduction without heavy chemical use. Federal funding totals $750-$850 million, reinforcing border health security. Commissioner Miller praises the governor’s urgency matching the threat’s severity.

Protecting Livestock, Families, and Economy

The Texas livestock industry faces catastrophic losses from screwworm larvae infesting open wounds, leading to animal deaths and supply chain disruptions. Rural communities reliant on ranching risk economic collapse. Wildlife populations suffer, impacting ecosystems. Consumers face higher food prices from reduced supply. Abbott’s preemptive declaration sets precedent for defending against biological invasions, especially amid ongoing border challenges. It aligns with President Trump’s focus on securing America first, protecting working families from government overreach and foreign threats.

Long-Term Biosecurity Victory

This action mobilizes short-term surveillance at the border and builds permanent infrastructure for ongoing prevention. It prevents infestation before it crosses, safeguarding Texas’s $20 billion livestock sector. Effective state-federal teamwork under Trump’s administration demonstrates proactive governance. Ranchers gain confidence in leaders prioritizing American agriculture over bureaucratic delays. Such measures strengthen food independence, rural prosperity, and constitutional duties to protect states from invasion-like threats.