New World Screwworm Found in Sutton County Dog

SAN ANGELO, TX — Texas officials have established an infested zone covering portions of Sutton and Schleicher counties after New World screwworm was confirmed in a dog. 

The Texas Animal Health Commission announced the designation of Infested Zone 14 on July 14, linking it directly to the new detection. The U.S. Department of Agriculture verified the case on July 13 through its official dashboard. 

This marks the second time the parasite has been found in Sutton County. An earlier case involving a sheep reported on June 12 is now listed as inactive. 

It is also the third dog case reported nationwide since New World screwworm reappeared in the United States in June. The previous dog detections occurred in Lea County, New Mexico, on June 7 and in Pecos County, Texas, on June 29. Both of those cases are inactive. 

Across the country, authorities have now confirmed 37 cases of the parasite since its return. Seventeen remain active, and 20 are inactive. All confirmed cases have involved domestic animals. 

Additional information and resources are available on these state and local websites:

• screwworm.texas.gov
• dshs.texas.gov (New World screwworm page)
• agrilifeextension.tamu.edu (New World screwworm section)
• tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html
• sanangelo.gov/screwworm