Veterinarian urges Brazos County to post screwworm guidance as county staff readies response

Gina Mosavi, a veterinarian and College Station resident, told the Brazos County Commissioners Court on June 23 that recent indications of new world screwworm in the region merit immediate public information and coordination with the health department and Texas AgriLife Extension. "We don't want it to be upon us, and then everybody's scrambling," Mosavi said, urging the court to post contact information and prevention advice on the county website and on the health department marquee.

Mosavi told commissioners she completed a Texas AgriLife Extension screwworm inspector course and said producers, veterinary technicians and pet owners should be made aware of how to prevent and spot infestations; she also urged coordination with local humane societies and the Bryan Animal Center and warned that the parasite is transmissible to people and vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness.

Court staff indicated they would pursue public-facing information and coordination with county and state partners. A county official said livestock-unit and animal-control deputies are already in communication with relevant state agencies and have received training on recognition and reporting; the court asked staff to contact the county agricultural agent and the health department to produce web resources and public links.

The court did not adopt a formal emergency policy at the meeting; staff said they will follow up with a public-facing link and consider asking the agricultural agent to brief the court at a future meeting.