Cumulative New World Screwworm cases in Central America, Mexico soar to 50,000

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Central America and Mexico are currently grappling with a surge in New World Screwworm (NWS) cases, with Belize and El Salvador remaining the only two countries in the region that have not reported any cases yet. This alarming situation, which shows that approximately 50,000 cases have been reported in the region, has prompted the Belize Ministry of Agriculture to intensify its campaign and implement stringent measures to prevent the entry of this destructive pest.

The NWS, a parasitic fly larva, infests living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing severe damage and often death.

As of the latest report from the Regional International Organization for Plant Protection (OIRSA), the cumulative number of NWS cases in the region stands at an alarming 49,187.

Breakdown of Cumulative and New Cases:

• Mexico
• • New Cases: 1
  • Cumulative Cases: 1
  • Species Affected: Cattle
• Guatemala
• • New Cases: 11
  • Cumulative Cases: 26
  • Species Affected: Cattle (92.3%), Sheep (7.7%)
• Honduras
• • New Cases: 19
  • Cumulative Cases: 71
  • Species Affected: Cattle (90%), Horses (6%), Pigs (3%), Sheep (1%)
• Nicaragua
• • New Cases: 423
  • Cumulative Cases: 5,978
  • Species Affected: Cattle (75.34%), Pigs (13.35%), Horses (5.04%), Dogs (4.03%), Cats (0.62%), Birds (0.07%), Humans (0.05%), Rabbits (0.02%)
• Costa Rica
• • New Cases: 164
  • Cumulative Cases: 11,552
  • Species Affected: Cattle (80.50%), Dogs (10.47%), Sheep (2.91%), Pigs (2.27%), Horses (0.69%), Cats (0.68%), Humans (0.42%), Goats (0.16%), Buffaloes (0.13%), Birds (0.07%), Rabbits (0.03%), Mules (0.02%)
• Panama
• • New Cases: 372
  • Cumulative Cases: 31,559
  • Species Affected: Cattle (83.17%), Dogs (5.76%), Sheep (3.23%), Humans (2.43%), Goats (0.99%), Cats (0.16%), Birds (0.14%), Buffaloes (0.02%), Mules (0.01%), Rabbits (0.003%)

Total

• New Cases: 990
• Cumulative Cases: 49,187

The Belize Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the regional organization OIRSA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has launched an extensive campaign to educate the public and enforce strict preventive measures. These measures include increased inspections, sanitation protocols, and treating animal wounds promptly to avoid attracting NWS flies.

Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai emphasized the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to protect Belize’s $100 million cattle industry. The Ministry is also drafting legislation to quarantine affected areas swiftly and deploy necessary resources if an outbreak occurs.

Belize’s intensified efforts aim to maintain the country’s NWS-free status and safeguard its livestock and agricultural sectors from the severe economic impact of this pest.

Mexico reported its first case in Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala, just over a week ago on November 22, 2024, prompting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restrict animal commodity imports from Mexico.