County judges from Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy and Cameron counties are holding a joint press conference about the New World screwworm.

The press conference will cover how to recognize potential cases, steps being taken to prepare for its possible arrival and coordinated response efforts that would be put in place if a case is detected.

Officials will meet at 10 a.m. Monday, May 18, at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council located at 301 W. Railroad Street in Weslaco.

Experts and representatives from state agencies and partner organizations will also attend. Participating agencies include the Texas Animal Health Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, wildlife and, in rare cases, humans.

The parasite has recently spread north through Central America into Mexico and continues to move toward the southern United States.