TAHC Joins Secretary Rollins and Governor Abbott to Open New World Screwworm Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Texas

EDINBURG, TX – State Veterinarian, Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges, DVM and staff joined United States Secretary
of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, and Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, as they officially opened the New World
screwworm sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in South Texas.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), with
ongoing coordination by government and industry partners, continue to bolster national and state
preparedness for a potential NWS incursion. This sterile NWS fly dispersal facility is an important tool in NWS
response; if NWS reaches the U.S., the sterile insect technique paired with fly surveillance,
movement controls, and producers monitoring their animals will help prevent the spread of the pest and
strengthen the response. NWS has not been detected in Texas.
“This facility and the many ongoing proactive efforts are great representations of the hard work Texas
responders and stakeholders have accomplished and examples of the robust response USDA partners have
answered with related to NWS,” said Dr. Bud Dinges. “We continue to work tirelessly and coordinate daily
to stay prepared to protect Texas and the U.S. from this pest.”
While Texas government and response partners are monitoring the situation in Mexico closely and actively
preparing to respond, all producers need to take proactive efforts. Animal owners can take action now by
monitoring animals regularly, adjusting management practices to prevent or promptly treat wounds,
and establishing a veterinary-client relationship to discuss species-specific treatment options.
While NWS is currently being combatted in Mexico, the looming threat to Texas animal agriculture is at the
forefront of daily efforts with animal health partners. USDA and TAHC’s established partnerships in past
animal health responses and active NWS preparedness sessions strengthen the proactive approach needed
to address this issue.
Learn more about NWS here.
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The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) was established in 1893 as the Livestock Sanitary Commission and charged with
protecting the state’s domestic animals “from all contagious or infectious diseases of a malignant character.” TAHC remains true
to this charge while evolving with the times to protect the health and marketability of all Texas livestock and poultry. Learn more
about the TAHC by visiting www.tahc.texas.gov