Hunt County Alerts

MVA

I-30 eastbound at FM 548 is experiencing major backups due to a semi on its side between the highway and service road. South service road is currently closed. 0650

Expect another day with isolated to scattered showers and storms across portions of North and Central Texas. The severe weather threat remains low, though stronger storms will be capable of gusty winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall.

Not everyone will observe rain today, but if you do, make sure to have alternate plans for any outdoor activities.

Flesh-Eating Screwworm Confirmed in Texas for First Time in Decades

Texas agriculture officials and ranchers are on high alert after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of the New World screwworm in South Texas, marking the first confirmed case in the state since 1966. (Reuters)

The New World screwworm is not actually a worm, but the larval stage of a fly. What makes it particularly dangerous is that the larvae feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals. Female flies lay eggs in open wounds, and after hatching, the larvae burrow into healthy tissue, causing severe injuries that can become fatal if left untreated. Livestock such as cattle are especially vulnerable, though wildlife, pets, and even humans can be affected. (Texas Animal Health Commission)

The latest case was discovered in a three-week-old calf near La Pryor in Zavala County, roughly 30 miles from the Texas-Mexico border. State and federal officials immediately established quarantine zones and began intensified surveillance efforts to prevent further spread. (Reuters)

The screwworm was eradicated from the United States in the 1970s through a massive program that released sterile flies into the environment. Those sterile flies mated with wild populations, causing the pest population to collapse. Today, USDA officials are once again relying on sterile fly releases and expanded trapping efforts to stop the parasite from gaining a foothold in Texas. More than 100 million sterile insects are currently being dispersed each week in Mexico and along the border region. (APHIS)

Agriculture leaders have warned for months that the parasite was moving north through Mexico. Just days before the Texas discovery, infected animals were found within 31 miles of the U.S. border. (Reuters)

While officials emphasize that the current detection appears isolated and is not considered a widespread infestation, the discovery has raised concerns throughout the cattle industry. Texas is home to one of the largest cattle populations in the nation, and a significant outbreak could result in billions of dollars in economic losses. (Reuters)

For now, livestock owners are being encouraged to closely inspect animals for unusual wounds, report suspicious infestations immediately, and follow any quarantine requirements issued by state and federal authorities. Officials remain optimistic that the case can be contained before the pest becomes established in the United States once again. (Reuters)