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Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously June 16 to continue the local disaster declaration County Judge Andy Brown issued June 12 over the threat of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that can affect livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, people, according to the county's continuing order.
The first U.S. case in a decade surfaced June 3 on a calf in La Pryor, in Zavala County near the Texas-Mexico border.
What it means: Brown emphasized the action was not a response to a confirmed local case, while Austin Public Health authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said the risk to humans remains low, although open wounds remain vulnerable.
Residents who suspect a screwworm case involving wildlife should contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; cases involving livestock and pets should go to the Texas Animal Health Commission, which is leading the state's response.
What to watch for: Residents concerned about a possible human infection should reach an on-call epidemiologist through Austin Public Health at 512-972-5555.
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