The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said it received confirmation on Oct. 21 of New World screwworm (NWS) in a hunter-harvested female elk in Pecos County. A sample from the elk was confirmed as NWS at the ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville.
Alan Cain, TPWD Wildlife Division Director, said the agency encourages hunters and landowners to watch for signs of the parasite in the field this season. He said cooperation between TPWD biologists and local hunters and landowners helped speed up the identification. The Texas Animal Health Commission will modify a previously established infested zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and TPWD are conducting more wildlife surveillance in the area.
TPWD encourages hunters to inspect their harvest before field dressing or moving the carcass. A video on inspecting harvested animals is available online. Suspected cases in wildlife should be reported to a local TPWD wildlife biologist or at 512-389-4505. Suspected cases in livestock and companion animals should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.