Jim Wells County declares local disaster over New World screworm threat, schedules public outreach

Jim Wells County declared a local state of disaster on June 12 to address the imminent threat posed by the New World screworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae infest warm‑blooded animals. Roelio Marcado, County Extension Agent, told the court that as of the morning of the meeting there were nine confirmed cases in the United States and eight in Texas since early June. "There are now currently nine cases in the in the United States, eight of which are in Texas now," Marcado said, summarizing USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission reports.

Marcado outlined the county’s public‑information and preparedness steps: distribution of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension publications, a beef‑cattle and wildlife health seminar on June 17 at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds (with about 100 RSVPs at the time of the briefing), and coordination with Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife for reporting and quarantine protocols. He emphasized reporting is critical to enable timely treatment and targeted sterile‑fly releases and said local veterinarians and producers are being briefed on detection and movement restrictions.

County emergency management staff confirmed the governor’s statewide declaration is being extended in 30‑day increments and the county’s local declaration will be filed and renewed monthly as necessary. The court approved a 30‑day local disaster declaration directing county resources be used for surveillance, reporting, public information and coordination with state agencies.

Why it matters: New World screworm can cause severe injury and death in livestock, wildlife and companion animals and has economic impacts on ranching communities. Early detection, reporting and coordinated responses (including movement permits and treatment protocols handled by the Texas Animal Health Commission) are central to containment.

What’s next: County staff will file the declaration with the county clerk, distribute educational materials, host the June 17 seminar, and coordinate with state agencies on reporting and any movement restrictions that may follow confirmed local detections.