Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday activated the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to support the state's response to a reemergence of the New World screwworm, a destructive livestock pest the state previously eradicated decades ago.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management raised the operations center to Level II, signaling an escalated response.

The activation mobilizes resources across multiple state agencies to protect the Texas economy, livestock producers, ranchers, and deer breeders from the parasitic insect.