Texas Quarantines 13 Counties After Screwworm Case in Dog as Shelters Warn of Thousands of Euthanasias
Updated
Updated · The Texas Tribune · Jun 19
Texas Quarantines 13 Counties After Screwworm Case in Dog as Shelters Warn of Thousands of Euthanasias
3 articles · Updated · The Texas Tribune · Jun 19
Summary
13 Texas counties are under animal-movement quarantine after New World screwworm was detected in a dog, blocking warm-blooded animals from leaving infested zones unless inspected and treated.
The restrictions aim to prevent a repeat of the 1933 U.S. spread tied to transported infested animals, and follow Gov. Greg Abbott’s disaster proclamation covering all 254 counties.
Shelter groups say the order could worsen overcrowding in already strained rural facilities, with Austin Pets Alive warning thousands of cats and dogs could be euthanized if transfers out of quarantine areas stall.
Stray animals are a major blind spot because wounds may go unnoticed and untreated, while some rescues already refuse animals from quarantined areas.
Houston SPCA, which takes in 500 to 600 animals a week, said operations are still normal but it has tightened wound checks and fly-control measures as officials urge Texans to report suspicious cases quickly.