New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic fly that poses a serious threat to livestock, exotic livestock, fowl and exotic fowl in Texas.

NWS flies lay eggs in wounds or soft tissues of live warm-blooded animals; the larvae hatch and burrow into living tissue, leading to the painful condition NWS myiasis. As the infestation worsens and the wounds become larger, it can cause serious injury, secondary infection and possibly death if not treated.

Due to the detection of New World Screwworm in neighboring Gillespie County, some areas of Gillespie, Kerr and Kimble Counties have been designated as an Infested Zone 03.

To protect the health of animals in this state, reduce the spread of NWS to non-infested animals, and prevent NWS from establishing in new areas, a quarantine has been imposed by the Texas Animal Health Commission and animal movements are restricted.

Please see the full details, as detailed by the Texas Animal Health Commission, in the official order in the downloadable/viewable document below:

Order Declaring Animal Movement Restrictions (PDF)