By Adam Russell
Following the June 3 announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, confirming the presence of New World screwworm, NWS, in Texas, experts across Texas A&M AgriLife are supporting state and federal agencies in their response and providing educational programming and resources to help protect livestock producers, wildlife managers, veterinarians, public health professionals and Texas families.
The USDA-APHIS confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County on June 3.
Although the parasite presents serious risks to livestock, wildlife, companion animals and, in rare instances, humans, experts emphasize that Texas is not in crisis mode but rather is entering a period of heightened awareness and coordinated response.
Texas A&M AgriLife is here for Texas
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have prepared educational materials, training, fact sheets, guidance documents and surveillance support to help Texans detect potential infestations early and reduce the pest’s impact.
Experts from across Texas A&M AgriLife’s agencies and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, including specialists in the Department of Entomology, Department of Animal Science, Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, AgriLife Extension Agricultural and Environmental Safety Unit, and the AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment and Recovery unit. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will also play a vital role in this effort.
These experts will continue to support USDA-APHIS, the Texas Animal Health Commission, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as federal and state agencies respond and manage the emergency.
Source : tamu.edu