Deadly Screwworm Outbreak Strikes Mexico’s Livestock & Economy

A recent screwworm outbreak in Mexico, first identified in the state of Campeche, is causing concern for both human health and the nation's economy. This is the first confirmed human case of the pest in the country. Veterinarians from Yucatán are now collaborating with the National Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases (Cenaprece) to limit the spread of the pest, which is a significant health and economic threat to the Southeast region of Mexico.

The Federal Ministry of Health (SSA) confirmed the case after a woman in Campeche contracted myiasis, a disease caused by the larvae of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, commonly known as the screwworm. This fly lays its eggs in superficial wounds of warm-blooded mammals, including humans, leading to severe tissue infections. The screwworm's arrival in Southeast Mexico is believed to be due to the importation of infected animals from South America, which were not properly screened at the Mexican border.

Screwworms are transmitted by a fly that lays its eggs in open wounds of animals, predominantly cattle. The hatching larvae penetrate and destroy the tissue, causing severe infections and potentially death if not promptly treated. Hugo Delfín González, director of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics at the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY), highlighted the potential impact of the screwworm outbreak.

According to Delfín González, the spread of the screwworm poses not only a health crisis for the livestock industry but could also have significant economic repercussions. The United States has responded to the outbreak by closing its borders to Mexican livestock, aiming to prevent the parasite's entry into its territory. This move could severely impact the export of meat, milk, and other livestock products from the region. Additionally, the cost for producers is likely to rise as they will need to invest in treatments and sanitary measures to ensure their animals are free of the parasite.