The Texas Animal Health Commission has issued executive director orders restricting movement of all warm-blooded animals, including livestock and pets, in designated infested zones. The zones cover parts of Brewster, Crockett, Edwards, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Schleicher, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Val Verde and Zapata counties. Animals cannot leave these zones without prior official authorization.
Owners must arrange an inspection through the commission or a certified inspector before moving animals out of the zones. Inspectors will check animal identification, give or confirm preventive treatment, and issue an official movement certificate that must travel with the animals.
State and federal responders are releasing millions of sterilized male New World screwworm flies by ground and air. Officials said that when wild females mate with them, the eggs do not hatch, which gradually reduces the population. State officials urged owners to monitor animals, keep wounds treated and report suspected cases to the commission. Federal officials said commercial meat safety inspections are not affected.