{"id":1012,"date":"2026-06-08T22:41:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T22:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/?p=1012"},"modified":"2026-06-09T22:53:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T22:53:17","slug":"new-world-screwworm-threat-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/new-world-screwworm-threat-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"In The Living Room – New World Screw Worm with Dr Sonja Swiger"},"content":{"rendered":"

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June 8, 2026<\/h4>\n

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In The Living Room – New World Screw Worm with Dr Sonja Swiger<\/h1>\n

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***IMPORTANT UPDATE***<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

This episode was recorded when the New World Screwworm was still confined to Mexico. Confirmed cases have now been detected in Texas, with the first on June 3, 2026 in Zavala County, plus additional cases in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County (as of June 8, 2026). The situation is evolving rapidly.<\/p>\n

The information and advice shared by Dr. Sonja Swiger remains accurate and highly relevant for identification, inspection, treatment, and reporting.<\/p>\n

Stay vigilant \u2014 Check livestock, pets, and wounds regularly. Report any suspicious maggots or infestations immediately.<\/p>\n

Reporting & Latest Updates:
\u2022 Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC): https:\/\/www.tahc.texas.gov\/emergency\/nws.html
\u2022 24\/7 TAHC Hotline: 1-800-550-8242
\u2022 USDA Stop Screwworm: https:\/\/www.aphis.usda.gov\/animals\/animal-health\/livestock-and-poultry-disease\/stop-screwworm<\/p>\n

In the Living Room with Dr. Sonja Swiger \u2013 New World Screwworm Threat
Join us for an important conversation with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist Dr. Sonja Swiger about the New World Screwworm \u2014 a serious parasitic fly that poses a major threat to livestock, wildlife, pets, and potentially humans.
Dr. Swiger explains:<\/p>\n

What the New World Screwworm is and why it\u2019s so dangerous
How to inspect animals and identify suspicious wounds\/maggots
What to do if you find something (treatment, reporting, and sample collection)
The history of eradication and current sterile insect program
Impact on cattle, deer, dogs, cats, and more<\/p>\n

Even though this interview was recorded before the recent Texas detections, the practical, boots-on-the-ground advice is exactly what Austin County livestock owners and animal lovers need right now.
Watch, learn, and share with every rancher, farmer, and pet owner you know.
\u2705 Report suspected cases right away, early detection is critical.<\/p>\n

Links:<\/p>\n

TAHC Screwworm Page: https:\/\/www.tahc.texas.gov\/emergency\/nws.html<\/a><\/p>\n

USDA Screwworm Resources: https:\/\/www.aphis.usda.gov\/animals\/animal-health\/livestock-and-poultry-disease\/stop-screwworm<\/a><\/p>\n

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https:\/\/agrilifeextension.tamu.edu\/new-world-screwworm\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Host:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Shelley Stuessel-Brian<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Director of Operations, Austin County News Online<\/span>\u00a0& Co-Creator, <\/span>Hello Austin County<\/em><\/h3>\n

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Greg Stuessel<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Publisher, Executive Producer, Technical Director
Austin County News Online & Austin County Media<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\ud83c\udf99\ufe0f Guests:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Dr Sonja Swiger, Ph.D<\/h2>\n

Texas A&M Professor Extension Entomologist<\/h4>\n

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\ud83c\udfa7 Episode Details<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n

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For those interested:<\/p>\n

\u2705 Report suspected cases right away, early detection is critical.<\/p>\n

Links:<\/p>\n

TAHC Screwworm Page: https:\/\/www.tahc.texas.gov\/emergency\/nws.html<\/a><\/p>\n

USDA Screwworm Resources: https:\/\/www.aphis.usda.gov\/animals\/animal-health\/livestock-and-poultry-disease\/stop-screwworm<\/a><\/p>\n

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https:\/\/agrilifeextension.tamu.edu\/new-world-screwworm\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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The New World Screwworm is back and poses a serious threat to Texas livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans. In this Austin County living room interview, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist Dr. Sonja Swiger explains the parasitic fly that lays eggs in living wounds, how it was eradicated over 50 years ago, and why it is reemerging from Mexico. 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In this Austin County living room interview, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist Dr. Sonja Swiger explains the parasitic fly that lays eggs in living wounds, how it was eradicated over 50 years ago, and why it…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1012"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1021,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1012\/revisions\/1021"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1012"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/austincountynewsonline.com\/hello\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=1012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}