Governor Abbott Activates Texas State Emergency Operations Center For New World Screwworm Response

TEXAS, June 8 - June 8, 2026 | Austin, Texas

Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to Level II (Escalated Response) to support the state’s New World Screwworm response.

“I have activated the full use of all state resources to respond to the New World Screwworm threat,” said Governor Abbott. “The protection of our ranchers, livestock producers, deer breeders, and the Texas economy from this pest is a top priority. We have eradicated this pest before, and we will do it again in close cooperation with our federal partners. Texans should stay alert, check animals daily for wounds, and report any suspected cases immediately.”

At the direction of the Governor, TDEM requested that representatives from the following member agencies and partners of the Texas Emergency Management Council report to the SOC:

• Texas Animal Health Commission
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
• Texas Department of Agriculture
• Texas Department of State Health Services

Texans are urged to report any suspected New World Screwworm cases in livestock to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) at 1-800-550-8242 and report suspected wildlife cases to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) at (512) 389-4505. Texans can access the latest updates and resources online through the TAHC (tahc.texas.gov), TPWD (tpwd.texas.gov), and United States Department of Agriculture (screwworm.gov).