The New World screwworm outbreak in the United States has grown to 12 confirmed cases, reports Texas Public Radio, up from the 5 cases reported earlier this month when the parasite was first confirmed in a New Mexico dog.
Eleven of the 12 infestations are in Texas, with the most recent case identified in a sheep in Sutton County, roughly 135 miles northwest of San Antonio.
That detection adds to concerns that the flesh-eating parasite is moving beyond South Texas and deeper into the state.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration covering all 254 Texas counties.
State and federal officials are responding with surveillance, testing, and the aerial release of millions of sterile male screwworm flies in a bid to suppress the outbreak.
The parasite, which was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s, reappeared in Texas this month after spreading north through Mexico from Central America.
New World screwworm larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including pets, and can be fatal if untreated.
For Nevada dog owners, the outbreak is a concern worth tracking heading into summer.
If you are planning road trips through Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas with your dog, check carefully for any open wounds or sores before and after travel, particularly around the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth.
We first covered this story when screwworm was confirmed in a New Mexico dog earlier this month.
Nevada has no confirmed cases.
The USDA urges pet owners to report any suspected infestations to a veterinarian immediately.
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