Minister Confirms Belize’s Second Case of Screwworm 

The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed a second case of screwworm in Belize. The first case of this highly destructive parasite was detected in late December in Crique Sarco Village, Toledo District. This Sunday, another case popped up in Toledo, this time in San Pedro, Columbia. We spoke with Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, who shared that this case likely originated in Guatemala as well.

 

On the Phone: Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“Screwworm can only move in a number of ways.  The first one is the flies. The fly flies. They are closest point to Guatemala. Guatemala’s case from our border was eleven miles.  It could have easily been a fly that flew into the country, right? And laid eggs on a therefore  we had the first  case. Secondly, there is a strong connection between the farmers in Toledo and Guatemalan farmers, the exchange cattle it seems and so that could have been the second possibility. The animal may have arrived in masses, in vehicles. No, we do not put cattle for human consumption none at all.  Those two possibilities are the only two that we have reviewed and the could be the source  of entry into the country in the case right now in San Pedro Colombia, we are still not  sure how it got there. We have investigated around the neighborhood. If any of them are important to the area, we can’t find evidence of it. We believe that it’s too far away from the deep jungle to say it is wildlife. And so we are not too certain. We haven’t ascertained yet what was the source but we have people on the ground. We have a dozen people on the ground  or more that are doing a house to house campaign and a farm to farm campaign to ensure that there are no more  cases on the ground.”