Although there have not been any New World Screwworm infestations reported in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has issued an emergency rule concerning restrictions on all warm-blooded animals coming to Colorado from Zones that have reported New World Screwworm infestations. The restrictions include: Animals from an Infested Zone must enter Colorado only with approval and a Certificate for Movement from the state animal health official in the state of origin, and movement certificates must be submitted with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection signed by an authorized veterinarian/official within five days prior to movement. Animals with open wounds must be treated with an authorized product within 14 days prior to movement, while an entry permit must be requested from the Colorado State Veterinarian’s Office within 48 hours of movement, and the animals must be inspected by an authorized veterinarian or official. Cats and dogs, are required to have additional inspection protocols within five days prior to their entry into Colorado if they originate from states with active New World Screwworm Infested Zones. Owners and facilities must ensure companion animals are examined for any signs of the screwworm, particularly open wounds, which must be treated according to authorized guidelines before they are moved.
Researchers point out that while states in the southeast need to be on guard for New world Screwworm infestations, the likelihood of the insect becoming established in the Four Corners Region is small, since according to entomologists, our dry climate and cold winters are likely to keep permanent resident Screwworms at bay. But the warm wet southeast U.S. was a good environment for the pests before irradiated male screwworms were released in the late 1960s, which eliminated them in the region.
Although there is a lot of livestock in Texas that could be impacted by the New World Screwworm, Texans are also concerned about how the return of this pest might affect wild animals, since wildlife is big business in the state. The Texas fish and wildlife industry generates nearly 300,000 jobs and over $14 billion in salaries and wages, while producing $31 billion in total value added for the Texas economy, according to the Texas Alliance For America's Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife is big business in Texas. As New World screwworm continues to make headlines about the economic impact it could have on the Texas cattle industry, what about wildlife? The Lone Star State fish and wildlife industry generates nearly 300,000 jobs, $14.1 billion in salaries and wages, and $31 billion in total value added, according to the Texas Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife organization. They point out that while livestock producers can monitor the health of their herds, and treat them if necessary, corralling wildlife such as white tailed deer, wild hogs and birds is tricky if not impossible.
While the Four Corners Region is suffering from extreme to severe drought, parts of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri have felt the brunt of recent frontal systems and severe thunderstorms. Weekly totals have frequently hit 2” to 4” of rain, with isolated spots tracking higher. Portions of Illinois and Indiana have reported rain totals 4” to 5” above normal for mid-June.
Author Mary Lasswell wrote, “I am forced to conclude that God made Texas on his day off, for pure entertainment, just to prove that all that diversity could be crammed into one section of earth by a really top hand.”
