Medflies found in Seine Bight; area quarantined

Two weeks ago when officers of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority discovered the presence of Mediterranean Fruit Flies in Punta Gorda, it was hoped that it was an isolated outbreak. Those hopes have been dashed, however, as BAHA today announced that three more fertile medflies have been found in Seine Bight on the Placencia Peninsula. Technicians have increased surveillance of the area and have begun to strip fruits from trees and destroy them. A statutory instrument will be signed placing much of the peninsula under a ninety day quarantine and BAHA is appealing to residents, particularly hotel and tour operators, to refrain from taking fruits and vegetables out of the quarantine area. Although the medfly is not endemic to Belize, it is present elsewhere in Central American and it is believed that the insect is brought in by the illegal importation of fruit in boats from Honduras and Guatemala. Once eggs are laid in the affected fruit, it is rendered inedible. Countries with full-fledged medfly infestation can have their fresh fruit exports banned by the importing nations.