San Angelo State Park Issues Screwworm Warning for Visitors and Pets

San Angelo State Park has issued a public warning about New World screwworm after confirmed parasite detections in the surrounding Tom Green County area, urging visitors to take precautions for themselves and their pets.

The warning, posted at trailheads and campgrounds across the 7,700-acre park, marks one of the first direct public safety alerts from Texas Parks and Wildlife regarding the invasive parasite since it entered the state in June. Park rangers are distributing information sheets and conducting heightened surveillance of wildlife in the area.

What Visitors Need to Know

New World screwworm flies target warm-blooded animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife. The adult fly lays eggs in wounds — even minor cuts, scrapes, or tick bites — and the resulting larvae burrow into living tissue, creating destructive wounds that can prove fatal without prompt veterinary treatment.

For pets, the risk is acute. Dogs and cats with outdoor access, hunting dogs, and horses trailered to the park for equestrian activities face elevated exposure. Signs of screwworm infestation include:

• Visible larvae in wounds (maggots that burrow deeply rather than surface feeding)
• Restlessness and agitation in affected animals
• Foul-smelling discharge from wounds
• Rapid deterioration despite standard wound care

Prevention Steps

Park officials recommend visitors inspect pets thoroughly before and after park visits, keep dogs leashed to reduce exposure to wildlife carcasses, and carry a basic pet first-aid kit to treat minor wounds immediately. Any animal showing suspicious symptoms should see a veterinarian within 24 hours — delays can be fatal.

For human visitors, the risk remains low but not zero. While screwworms prefer animal hosts, they can infest human wounds in rare cases. Standard precautions — covering cuts, using insect repellent, and seeking prompt medical attention for wounds that fail to heal — provide adequate protection.

Wildlife Impact

Beyond domestic animals, park biologists are monitoring native wildlife populations. White-tailed deer, javelinas, and small mammals serve as reservoir hosts, maintaining screwworm populations even as livestock receive treatment. The park's diverse ecosystem, once a refuge for native species, now faces an unexpected biological threat.

The warning represents a sobering expansion of the screwworm crisis from agricultural areas into recreational spaces. For Texas outdoor enthusiasts, the parasite now joins rattlesnakes and West Nile virus as a tangible risk requiring active prevention.

Reporting Suspected Cases

Visitors who encounter wildlife showing signs of screwworm infestation should contact park staff immediately. Reports help officials track spread patterns and coordinate with USDA's eradication efforts. The 24-hour hotline for reporting animal health concerns is available through the Texas Animal Health Commission.