Governor Greg Abbott activated Texas’s Emergency Operations Center to Level II after the first U.S. case of the New World screwworm was confirmed in La Pryor, Texas. The parasitic fly, which can devastate cattle and other livestock,has forced state officials to mobilize resources and accelerate a sterile‑fly release program.

First U.S. case in La Pryor triggers Level II activation

On Wednesday, veterinarias in La Pryor reported the nation’s inaugural New World screwworm infestation, prompting Abbott to declare a Level II emergency. he said, "I have activated the full use of all state resources to respond to the New World screwworm threat," underscoring the urgency for ranchers and the broader Texas economy.

Sterile fly release program faces 2027 shortfall

Officials plan to curb the outbreak by releasing sterile male screwworms, a method proven effective in other regions. However, the United States will not complete its own sterile‑fly production facility until late 2027, creating a critical gap in containment capacity, according to the governor’s office.

Abbott pushes accelerated timeline for Moore Air Base facility

To narrow the gap, Abbott is urging the construction of a new sterile‑fly plant at Moore Air Base in South Texas to finish by May 2023 instead of the originally projected November 2023 . The accelerated schedule aims to prevent the pest from spreading during the summer grazing season.

Potential economic impact on Texas's multibillion‑dollar livestock sector

The sccrewworm threatens a livestock industry valued at several billions of dollars, with cattle, deer breeders, and other producers at risk. If the parasite spreads, losses could echo past infestations that forced costly eradication campaigns, a concern highlighted by state agriculture officials.

Who will fund the accelerated construction?

While Abbott has pledged state resources, the report notes that financing the hastened build remains unclear. Federal assistance, private‑sector partnerships, or reallocating existing budgets are all possibilities, but no definitive source has been confirmed.

According to the governor’s office, the emergency response will involve coordinated efforts across the Texas Department of Agriculture, the U.S. department of Agriculture, and local veterinary services. The situation remans fluid, and officials warn that additional cases could emerge as the fly spreads across the border.