South Texas remains clear of screwworm as inspections intensify along major highways

There is no sign so far of the New World screwworm in South Texas, a flesh-eating pest that has ravaged cattle in northern Mexico, and U.S. officials remain on the hunt.

Inspection stations on several highways from the Valley to central and north Texas are checking livestock transports for screwworm and other diseases. In late October, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) announced on its social media channels that livestock vehicle inspections would continue to operate. The stations are mobile and can be relocated as needed.

Isaac Sulemana, chief of staff for Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, told the RGV Business Journal this week that no screwworms have been found in South Texas. Sulemana added that a livestock inspection station is currently located just north of the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias on Highway 281.

TAHC officials are authorized to issue citations to anyone who does not stop at livestock inspection stations, whether live animals are being transported or empty trailers are hauled. TAHC can also conduct road stops to ensure anyone moving livestock meets all health requirements, in order to control disease.

Suleman said the county judge’s office has worked closely with Dr. Thomas Lansford of TAHC, who confirmed no screwworm flies have been found north of the river. 

“The USDA still has traps up and down the river, and there is no screwworm detection as of yet,” Sulemana said. 

Earlier this year, the United States blocked imports of live cattle from Mexico as the screwworm was detected less than 70 miles south of the border in Nuevo Léon. The parasitic fly attacks cattle by entering through a wound and laying eggs. It also eats the animal’s flesh.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened a sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico, on Nov. 13, and according to its website, about 100 million sterile flies are released each week as the U.S. seeks to strengthen its invisible shield against the epidemic. 

The USDA has also begun construction of a sterile fly facility at Moore Air Base, which is about 14 miles northwest of Mission. Officials estimate it will be operational early next year. The inactive U.S. Air Force base was instrumental in eradicating the screwworm in the 1960s. 

On social media, TAHC asked Texas hunters to keep an eye out for screwworm infestation and fever tick, a different microscopic parasite, and report any findings to TAHC’s Raymondville office at (956) 248-5204.