LUBBOCK, Texas (RFD News) — Texas has removed New World screwworm movement restrictions from the first eligible infested zones after surveillance and eradication work indicated wild populations had been eliminated in those areas.
The Texas Animal Health Commission says restrictions were lifted on August 31 from designated areas of Gillespie, Kerr, Kimble, La Salle, and Webb counties.
For livestock producers, the change reduces movement limitations in those released areas, but surveillance will continue. State and federal teams may keep using sterile fly releases, trapping and animal monitoring even after restrictions are removed.
Officials say the release reflects months of coordinated work among state, federal, veterinary, industry and local partners. Producers are still being urged to inspect livestock and wildlife for suspicious wounds, unusual behavior or larval infestations.
Any suspected screwworm case should be reported immediately. Remaining infested zones will stay under current movement requirements until officials determine they also meet release standards.
