Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2025. 12:16 pm CST.
Cattle in Crique Sarco, Toledo District, on Friday, January 17, 2025. The first case of New World Screwworm was identified in Crique Sarco on December 28, 2024 – Photo Credit: MAFSE
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Animals cannot be moved from the Toledo District without a New World Screwworm (NWS) Inspection Certificate, according to Dr. Roxanna Alvarez, Chief Veterinary Officer at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). This measure comes in response to the recent identification of five cases of New World Screwworm in the southernmost district.
“We have five cases in Crique Sarco and San Pedro Columbia, Toledo,” Dr Alvarez stated.
“Teams of BAHA and MAFSE officers are in both control zones carrying out inspections of animals, treating wounds, and creating awareness among producers and villagers. BAHA, with the assistance of the Police Department, has instituted an additional Animal Movement Control Point to control the movement out of the Infested Area.
“All animals moving out of the Toledo district need to have an NWS Inspection Certificate that certifies they have been inspected at origin and cleared for movement out of Toledo.”
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE), has deployed additional personnel to the border areas, particularly to Jalacte, the border crossing into Guatemala. However, it has been noted that the two outbreaks in Crique Sarco and San Pedro Columbia, which are under heavy surveillance, are a distance away from Jalacte.
Luis Pook, Director of Communications at MAFSE, mentioned that it is believed that New World Screwworm fly colonies are regenerating within the country. Farmers in the affected areas are taking preventive measures, and it is crucial to check animals regularly. The New World Screwworm fly is known to be attracted to open wounds, and there is evidence of bat bites on exposed animals. Pook emphasized the importance of farmers and animal owners giving particular attention to their animals and checking for open wounds constantly. He noted that in one case, an ear tag wound attracted the New World Screwworm.
The reported cases include four cattle and one dog. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise urges farmers to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the New World Screwworm disease.
MAFSE Minister Jose Abelardo Mai has been visiting the affected areas and other villages, such as Jalacte and San Vicente, as part of MAFSE’s effort to curb the incidence of New World Screwworm cases.
For more information, please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise.
Reporting Suspected Cases: Cases of suspected larval infestations in animals should be reported to the BAHA Animal Health Department offices at 824-4872 in Central Farm, 302-1388 in Orange Walk, or via WhatsApp at 670-7003. For further information, email the Animal Health Department at [email protected] or call 824-4872.
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