Texas Governor Issues Disaster Declaration to Prevent New World Screwworm Fly Infestation

State resources deployed to protect livestock, wildlife, and agriculture from potential spread of destructive parasite from Mexico

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:31am

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Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration in Texas to prevent the potential spread of the New World screwworm (NWS) fly from Mexico into the state. The NWS fly lays eggs in open wounds on animals, and the resulting larvae feed on living tissue, often causing severe injury or death if left untreated. Although the parasite is not currently present in Texas or the U.S., state officials warn of the serious threat it poses to the state's livestock industry and wildlife populations if it continues to spread northward from Mexico.

Why it matters

The New World screwworm fly poses a major threat to Texas' multibillion-dollar livestock industry as well as the state's diverse wildlife populations. By issuing this disaster declaration, Governor Abbott is empowering state agencies to take proactive measures to prevent the parasite's potential introduction and spread, which could have devastating economic and ecological consequences.

The details

The disaster declaration allows the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to fully deploy state prevention and response resources, including interagency coordination, surveillance, and emergency measures. The state has also partnered with the USDA to develop a new $750 million Domestic Sterile NWS Production Facility in Edinburg, Texas that will play a key role in eradication efforts by producing sterile flies to disrupt the pest's reproduction cycle.

  • Governor Abbott issued the statewide disaster declaration on January 29, 2026.
  • The New World screwworm fly has been spreading northward from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border.

The players

Governor Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who issued the statewide disaster declaration to prevent the potential spread of the New World screwworm fly into the state.

Texas New World Screwworm Response Team

A joint team established by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to coordinate the state's prevention and response efforts against the New World screwworm fly.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The federal agency that is partnering with Texas to develop a new $750 million Domestic Sterile NWS Production Facility in Edinburg, Texas to support eradication efforts against the New World screwworm fly.

Brooke Rollins

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who is collaborating with Texas on the development of the new Domestic Sterile NWS Production Facility.

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What they’re saying

“Although the New World screwworm fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas' livestock industry and wildlife.”

— Governor Greg Abbott (ksstradio.com)

“With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite. Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be.”

— Governor Greg Abbott (ksstradio.com)

What’s next

The Texas New World Screwworm Response Team will continue to coordinate surveillance and prevention efforts, and the new $750 million Domestic Sterile NWS Production Facility in Edinburg, Texas is expected to become operational in the coming months to support eradication efforts.

The takeaway

By proactively issuing a disaster declaration and mobilizing state resources, Governor Abbott and Texas officials are taking decisive action to safeguard the state's livestock industry and wildlife populations from the potentially devastating impacts of the New World screwworm fly, demonstrating the state's commitment to protecting its agricultural and ecological assets.