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Public‑health official reports screwworm spike and single West Nile mosquito detection
Summary
Dr. Mobley told the court screwworm reports doubled to 27 in the USDA dashboard window and that a West Nile–positive mosquito was found in Granby (Portland); local vector control and 4‑H livestock movement were highlighted as surveillance priorities.
Dr. Mobley briefed the court on recent animal‑health and vector surveillance developments, emphasizing a rapid increase in detected screwworm cases and proactive mosquito control measures.
"As of this morning, there's 27 cases," Dr. Mobley said, describing a rise from 12 to 27 cases reported on the USDA dashboard in a short period and noting the detection has moved north and west into nearby jurisdictions, including Jim Hogg County. He urged caution around 4‑H animal projects and said USDA and local agencies are monitoring movements that could transport screwworm into the county.
Mobley also reported a West Nile–positive mosquito had been detected on Granby in Portland; there were no human cases reported. He said the city increased spraying and applied larvicides to standing water, and urged residents to remove small reservoirs of standing water that serve as breeding sites. The court acknowledged the update and said it would continue to prioritize mosquito control and related public information until the situations abated.
Why it matters: Rapid rises in screwworm detections can threaten livestock and require coordinated state and federal responses; a West Nile–positive mosquito indicates local vector presence and prompts vector‑control actions to reduce human and animal exposure.
