Screwworms Revisited with Texas Animal Health Commission’s Dr. Dinges

The Executive Director of the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas State Veterinarian, Dr, Dinges, visits with us about the screwworm invasion moving upwards from Panama through Mexico. There were more than 13,000 cases of screwworms infecting animals in Mexico with 492 cases considered active, and 110 cases in people. Once again, eradication efforts are in motion. Sterilization facilities are being reactivated. The closest cases were reported within 70 miles of the Texas/Mexico border. However, those cases were traced to movement of livestock within Mexico. As such movement is coming under tighter regulation no more cases have been noticed within that close proximity of the border. Nevertheless, that does not account for wildlife. Hopefully, cooler weather will slow the northerly movement as the USDA and Sec. Rollin is instrumental in bringing sterilization facilities on line.