CAMPECHE, Mexico — Health and agricultural authorities in Campeche have reported that cases of New World screwworm (gusano barrenador) have risen to 1,122 affected animals across the state, underscoring the ongoing challenge to contain the livestock parasite in southeastern Mexico.
Widespread Impact on Local Livestock
According to official data, the screwworm outbreak—caused by the larvae of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly—has primarily impacted cattle, though cases have also been detected in dogs, horses, swine, and other domestic species. The parasite infests open wounds on warm-blooded animals, causing myiasis and severe tissue damage if untreated.
- Primary Host: Bovines continue to represent the vast majority of cases, posing a direct threat to the local dairy and beef industries.
- Secondary Hosts: Canines and equines follow in case volume, highlighting the need for vigilance among pet owners and rural working-animal handlers alike.
Containment and Prevention Efforts
The National Service for Health, Insaity, and Agrifood Quality (SENASICA), alongside the State Ministry of Agricultural Development (SDA), continues to execute sanitary controls to halt the fly’s spread.
Officials emphasize that early detection remains the most critical line of defense. Producers are urged to inspect herds daily, treat open wounds promptly with larvicides, and restrict the uninspected movement of livestock across municipal borders. Authorities stress that timely reporting of suspected infestations allows technical teams to isolate active cases before larvae mature and continue the reproductive cycle.
Source: Por Esto
