The deadly new world screwworm has been detected just 70 miles from the Texas border — the closest this devastating pest has come to the United States in decades. The larvae of this parasite burrow into the living flesh of animals, causing painful wounds, deadly infections, and enormous losses for farmers, ranchers, and wildlife populations.

This is no small threat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has already called the screwworm a “national security priority.” Texas has invested $750 million in a sterile fly production facility in Edinburg, where millions of sterile flies are released to collapse wild populations. The USDA is dispersing 100 million flies per week across Mexico to contain the outbreak. And yet, the parasite continues to move northward.

If screwworm reaches Texas, the consequences could be catastrophic. Ranchers could lose entire herds. Farmers could face crippling economic losses. Wildlife populations — from deer to bison — could suffer outbreaks that are impossible to control. Even humans are at risk, as demonstrated by a U.S. traveler recently infected after returning from El Salvador.

We cannot afford complacency. This is the moment to double down on prevention, investment, and coordination. We are calling on Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Secretary Brooke Rollins to take urgent action: strengthen surveillance at the border, expand sterile fly releases, secure additional funding for rapid response, and provide clear communication to ranchers, veterinarians, and the public.

The screwworm was once eradicated from the United States. It must not be allowed to return. Texas depends on its farmers, ranchers, and wildlife. Protecting them from this parasite is a matter of survival for communities, the economy, and the environment.