Screwworm Detection in Central America; BAHA Sets New Measures

There’s an outbreak of the New World screwworm in Central America again and the folks at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, BAHA, are informing farmers and others who have pets close to the border areas to be vigilant. They are also advising people who cross into Belize with farm animals to adhere to the measures that are in place when importing these animals. So far, only Panama has declared a State of Zoo-sanitary Emergency with reported cases in cattle, pigs, dogs, and horses. Costa Rica has reported only one case of the parasite in a dog. Because the New World screwworm can also affect other mammals, including humans, there is a concern that if the parasite is found in Belize, it can be transmitted to people. While the hosts of the parasite can be safely treated, the aim is to keep the infestation of the screwworm minimal, if not completely eradicated.

Roxanna Alvarez

Dr. Roxanna Alvarez, Chief Veterinary Officer, BAHA

“There are procedures in place to ensure that all animals that come into Belize are safe, in general, and we’ve been able to maintain that free status since 1991. What we’ve done is we’ve had to re-categorize risk for Panama specifically and Costa Rica because we’ve had an outbreak in Panama and we have one case in Costa Rica and what that means is that we’ve stepped up our measures a little bit further for those two countries and that specifically requires now that whenever animals are being imported from Panama or Costa Rica there must be a veterinary inspection at the port of entry.”