06/04/2026
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ORDER DECLARING ANIMAL MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS
DUE TO NEWWORLD SCREWWORM IN UVALDE AND ZAVALA COUNTIES
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 can be
fatal if not treated.
NWS is recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture as a foreign
animal disease that has poses a threat to U.S. agriculture, wildlife, public health, and
the economy.
On January 29, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation
for all counties in Texas due to the threat NWS poses to the state’s livestock industry,
economy, and the potential for widespread and severe property damage for Texas.
Governor Abbot has renewed the proclamation each month since.
The Texas Animal Health Commission (the “Commission”) is authorized under
Chapter 161, Texas Agriculture Code, to establish movement restrictions against all
or a portion of a state in which an animal disease exists to protect livestock, exotic
livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl in this state from the disease.
As specified in Title 4, Texas Administrative Code §37.1, the Commission may
quarantine any area, county, or part of a county within the state which has been
determined to be infested with NWS. Additionally, under Title 4 Texas Administrative
Code §58.2, the Executive Director of the Commission is authorized to act for the
Commission in order to respond expeditiously to an animal health emergency and
may act to eradicate and control any disease or agent of disease transmission that
affects livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl from a disease or
agent of transmission recognized by the USDA as a foreign animal disease or is the
subject of state of emergency as declared by the Governor of Texas.
On June 3, 2026, NWS was detected in a bovine in Zavala County.
The Executive Director finds that NWS poses a serious threat to livestock, exotic
livestock, fowl, and exotic fowl in Texas.
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION | 2105 KRAMER LANE, AUSTIN, TX 78758 | 512.719.0700 | WWW.TAHC.TEXAS.GOV
The Executive Director further finds that moving infested animals can spread NWS
flies and larvae, cause new infestations, and may increase the overall NWS
population. Stopping the movement of infested animals and ensuring animals are
moved safely is essential to limit the spread of NWS and reduce its impact in Texas.
Due to the detection of NWS in Zavala County, the following areas of Uvalde and
Zavala Counties are designated as Infested Zone 01:
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION | 2105 KRAMER LANE, AUSTIN, TX 78758 | 512.719.0700 | WWW.TAHC.TEXAS.GOV
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 is
imposed on the Infested Zone 01. Infested Zone 01 is subject to the following animal
movement restrictions:
Warm-blooded animals located within Infested Zone 01 may not be
moved outside of the zone without prior authorization from the
Commission. Any person in possession or control of such animals must
obtain permission and comply with all conditions set by the
Commission before transporting the animals beyond the quarantine
boundaries.
To move warm-blooded animals outside of Infested Zone 01, the animal
must be inspected and treated as required by the Commission and
issued a permit or certificate for movement by a Commission
representative.
Hides, carcasses, and parts of any animal capable of serving as a host for
NWS must be inspected and undergo any treatment deemed necessary
by a Commission representative prior to removal from the Infested Zone
01.
Unauthorized movement is prohibited and subject to administrative
penalties and/or criminal prosecution.
This order is issued pursuant to Texas Agriculture Code, Chapters 161 – 168, and
applicable regulations found in Title 4 of the Texas Administrative Code, Part 2,
Chapters 31 – 60 and is effective immediately.
This order will remain in effect until the quarantine is released by the Commission.
Signed June 3, 2026.
Lewis R. Dinges, D.V.M.
Executive Director
Texas Animal Health Commission
TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION | 2105 KRAMER LANE, AUSTIN, TX 78758 | 512.719.0700 | WWW.TAHC.TEXAS.GOV
The homepage of the Texas Animal Health Commission.
