GOB Tightens Animal Inspections and Border Security to Combat Screwworm  

On Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the first case of screwworm in southern Belize. The infestation was limited to one animal, which has since been treated. While the New World Screwworm is treatable if caught early, it can have deadly consequences for both animals and humans. Since July 2023, the ministry has been proactive in preventing the spread of screwworm in Belize. Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, elaborates on the measures taken to protect livestock and ensure the safety of Belizeans nationwide.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“We have been working hard to prevent the introduction of screwworm into Belize.  Belize is the last of all Central American countries to be reporting on a suspect case.  We activated our national plan in October and aggressively engaged with stakeholder groups to strengthen our position. As part four hundred twenty-five establishments, farms,  and homes were visited  and more than two hundred and thirty-five technical personnel have been trained in new worlds home prevention and control brochures were designed and printed in English, Spanish, lower German, Ketchi, Mopan, and Yucatec, Maya, and Garifuna, and these have been widely distributed. Technical teams made appearances on morning shows and this was supported. by social media, post billboards, and home visits.  All this contributed to thousands of religions becoming aware of and informed of the New World Screwworm as a country as a part of the prevention plan, we also increased inspections of pets being imported from New World Screwworm-infested countries at all official points of entry, these are on land, sea, and air. And then by moving control points when installed at Bullett Tree, Cayo District, and Toledo district. These are manned by BAHA officers, the police and a BLP officer and are operational twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. These movement controls were strengthened to ensure no animals enter Belize at these unofficial crossing points, and that all cargo vehicles entering Belize through these points are sprayed with an insecticide that’s also a larvicide.”

 

For more information visit:

https://edition.channel5belize.com/baha-confirms-screwworm-infestation-contained-to-one-animal-in-toledo/