Pets at Risk: BAHA raises alarm as New World Screwworm threat grows

Published by [email protected] at June 23, 2025

Posted: Monday, June 23, 2025. 8:35 am CST.

BAHA advises pet owners to monitor their pets. Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: As the New World Screwworm (NWS) continues its gradual spread through Central America and Mexico, Belizean authorities are intensifying public appeals for vigilance—particularly among pet owners—as infection rates in dogs surge.

“Most of our reported cases involve dogs,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, José Abelardo Mai. “We need to be more vigilant—check for wounds, reduce fighting, and look out for strays that may be infected.”

Minister Mai reiterated that pets, especially dogs, represent a serious risk vector, not only for livestock but potentially for humans.

“The closest pet to a human is a dog,” he warned. “If dogs are vulnerable, so are we.”

Escalating Pet Infections

The latest data from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) paints a concerning picture. As of June 14, a total of 160 screwworm cases had been confirmed, including 59 in cattle and 54 in dogs. Alarmingly, 20 new canine cases were recorded in just the last four weeks.

“Extremely concerning for us is the marked increase in cases in pets, particularly dogs,” said BAHA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Roxana Alvarez. “Even more troubling is that dog owners often only notice something is wrong when there’s a large, gaping wound.”

Dr. Alvarez emphasized that early detection is key, urging all pet owners to inspect their dogs and cats just as diligently as livestock producers. “The response from producers has been positive, and the spread of New World Screwworm in Belize has not been as significant as that of other Central American countries,” she said.

“We continue to urge producers, pet owners, and the public not to take this detrimental pest lightly. Continue inspecting your animals, treat their wounds, and report cases of New World Screwworm to the Belize Agricultural Health Authority or the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise. Together we can control the spread of NWS and prevent the losses that it can bring to the agriculture sector.”

BAHA Steps Up Public Health Education

BAHA Managing Director Zoe Zetina echoed these concerns and issued a stern reminder that pet owners must take more responsibility.

“With almost as much infestation in dogs as there is in cattle, BAHA is concerned that dog owners, and in general, pet owners, are not properly monitoring the health of these animals,” Zetina stated.

“We continue to urge the owners of all animals, including all livestock, small stock, and pets, to inspect their animals regularly for wounds, to treat wounds with the approved medicines and larvicides and to report any maggot infestations to the nearest BAHA of the Ministry of Agriculture Office.”

Zetina also clarified that the public education campaign is not intended to spark panic.

“These measures and the education and public awareness campaign are not about instilling fear or creating a hullabaloo,” she said.

“New World Screwworm is an aggressive mutation of the screwworm that was eradicated some 30 years ago. The fly flies further, has a shorter life cycle and seems more inclined to choose fertile males to ensure its survival. Combined, these new characteristic makes it more challenging to control and eradicate.”

Preparedness for Potential Human Infections

Although no human cases have been reported in Belize to date, the Ministry of Agriculture is not taking any chances. In coordination with OIRSA, Belize is preparing for the possibility of human infections by arranging a medical knowledge exchange with Nicaraguan doctors, who have already dealt with such cases.

“In the event that it appears in a human being in Belize, we have to address it quickly,” Minister Mai asserted.

“OIRSA is prepared to bring in medical doctors from Nicaragua, to share their experience with all medical doctors in Belize. As it pertains to screwworms affecting humans, they have a lot of experience dealing with it. We don’t want to be faced with this situation where we have it, and we don’t know what to do with it.”

As the threat persists, officials agree that sustained surveillance, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration remain critical to containing the spread. With dog cases rising and resources

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