Fredericksburg/Gillespie County Emergency Management: This afternoon, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the first case of screwworm in a goat in Gillespie County. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are the lead agencies for screwworm response statewide. State agencies are gathering more details about the confirmed case and are working on strategies for future screwworm surveillance and response here locally.

Fredericksburg/Gillespie County Emergency Management and other City and County officials and agencies will be coordinating closely with the above state agencies and screwworm response teams. We will provide updates formally through press releases, social media, and our alert system. If you wish to receive up-to-date information on screwworm impacts, resources, and information for Gillespie County, join our screwworm text and email list by texting "screwworm" to 38276. You can also be added to the screwworm list by logging into your emergency alert profile on our alert system website and adding the "screwworm" information list under alert options. For questions on the alert system list, feel free to reach out to amorris@fbgtx.org.

We encourage residents and animal owners to inspect pets and livestock diligently in the upcoming days.

• Check animals for small wounds and examine openings that could attract screwworm larvae.
• Treat and cover any wounds on animals. This includes outdoor pets.
• Report suspicious wounds or larvae in livestock to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) by calling 1-800-550-8242. Do not move a suspicious animal. For pets, call a local veterinarian to examine and diagnose your pet. The vet will make the report and conduct a sample as needed.
• Report suspicious infections in wildlife to Texas Parks and Wildlife by calling 512-389-4505.

Public monitoring and reporting is essential for effective screwworm response. For more information on monitoring and detection, visit the official websites below.
 
USDA:

• Screwworm Information Website: screwworm.gov
• USDA Tracking Dashboard: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status/us-confirmed-cases-new-world

Texas Animal Health Commission:

• Texas Screwworm Information Website: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html
• Active Screwworm Zones in Texas: https://tahc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=8455917e956b474f995cc3b94d3ef54b&sliderDistance=1

Agrilife:

• Screwworm Educational Information: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm

DSHS: 

• General Info: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/notifiable-conditions/zoonosis-control/zoonosis-control-diseases-and-conditions/new-world-screwworm