Cases of New World Screwworm continue to increase in Mexico. According to Reuters, Mexico has recorded 5,086 cases of flesh-eating screwworm in animals as of Aug. 17, a 53% jump from the number of cases reported in July. The Reuters refers to data from the Mexican government.
The updated numbers, which have not been previously reported to the public, showed 649 currently active cases.
“That’s absolutely concerning,” says Neal Wilkins, CEO of conservation and cattle group East Foundation. “Having a 50% increase in month-over-month numbers, particularly in the extreme heat, means they haven’t gotten it under control.”
According to a spokesperson for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: “The increase of cases reported in Mexico shows that New World screwworm is still a very present threat. We need to continue full steam ahead with all possible prevention and mitigation tools. This includes the funding that Secretary Rollins has announced for a domestic sterile fly facility, coupled with increased surveillance and screening measures.”
The increase in reported cases in Mexico can be attributed to Mexican cattle producers inspecting their cattle and reporting any suspicious wounds or insects.
“This is the right thing to do, and it’s important for everyone to remain vigilant,” the NCBA spokesperson confirms. “We also need to keep in mind that New World screwworm is a multispecies disease, and currently there is limited information on wildlife infestations in Mexico. Beyond cattle and domestic livestock, Mexican authorities must also develop a multispecies response that addresses the risk from wildlife.”
The majority of cases were identified in cattle, though Mexican government data also showed infestations in dogs, horses and sheep. According to the COPEG (Panama–United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm Infestation in Livestock) website, reported cases have been 85% bovine, 6% canine, 3% swine, 3% equine and 2% sheep.
On July 8, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality reported a NWS case in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, Mexico, which is approximately 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border. This northward detection came approximately two months after northern detections were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, less than 700 miles away from the U.S. border.
Your Next Reads:
The Smell You’ll Never Forget: A Calf Infested with New World Screwworm
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