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Atascosa County declares local disaster over threat of New World Screwworm
Summary
Atascosa County Commissioners Court on June 22 adopted a seven-day local disaster declaration citing an imminent threat from the New World Screwworm, activating emergency measures and directing county staff to coordinate with state and federal animal- and public-health agencies.
Atascosa County Commissioners Court on June 22 declared a local state of disaster citing the imminent threat that the New World Screwworm poses to livestock, wildlife and related agriculture in the county.
Cheyenne read a county declaration that cites the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 and references a January 29, 2026 statewide declaration by the governor. The document names Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World Screwworm) as a parasitic pest whose larvae can cause severe injury and death to warm-blooded animals, and it finds extraordinary measures warranted to prepare for, prevent and mitigate the threat.
The declaration, adopted by a court motion that carried, activates relevant local and interjurisdictional emergency plans; authorizes furnishing emergency aid; directs the county’s emergency management coordinator and other officials to coordinate with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the United States Department of Agriculture and other appropriate agencies; and authorizes county officials to issue guidance to livestock owners, veterinarians and the public consistent with state and federal guidance. The declaration directs filing with the County Clerk and remains in effect for up to seven days unless the court continues or renews it.
County Judge Weldon P. Cude is named in the declaration as the presiding officer making the finding. Commissioners approved the measure after Cheyenne read the text and the court moved and seconded the item on the agenda. No additional funding allocations or operational orders were listed in the document adopted at the meeting.
Next steps noted in the declaration include coordinating surveillance and reporting activities with state and federal partners and issuing public information and protective guidance to agricultural stakeholders. The county also requested all appropriate state and federal assistance to support preparedness, prevention, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.
The court recessed to executive session later in the morning; the declaration remains effective as written and would need court action to be continued beyond seven days.
