Yucatán Ranchers Unite to Fight Screwworm Outbreak

MÉRIDA, Yucatan. — The Secretary of Rural Development (Seder) reported that 75 new cases of screwworm in livestock were confirmed in the last week, distributed across 30 municipalities, bringing the cumulative total in the state to 381.

According to an official statement, the affected animals were cattle, sheep, dogs, and pigs, ranging in age from four days old to ten years. As warm-blooded species, they presented lesions primarily on the navel, thigh, vulva, cervical region, and ears. The primary causes of infection were wounds caused by barbed wire and bat bites.

The weekly distribution reported two cases in Maxcanú, Izamal, Oxkutzcab, Tekax, Tzucacab, and Sucilá; one case in Santa Elena, Mérida, Yobaín, Tixkokob, Teya, Temax, Sudzal, Hunucmá, Dzoncauich, Peto, Kanasín, Ticul, Conkal, and Tepakán; four cases in Cenotillo, Buctzotz, and Motul; six cases in Tunkás and Temozón; three cases in Dzilam González, Kopomá, and Baca; and eight cases in Panabá and Tizimín.

Faced with this situation, Seder is maintaining operations to capture hematophagous bats, as their bites generate open wounds that facilitate infestation by the cochliomyia hominivorax fly, which causes the plague.

In coordination with the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety, and Quality (Senasica) and with Local Livestock Associations (AGL), the agency is applying prevention and control measures. These include awareness talks, training for producers, the delivery of medical supplies and field treatment kits, as well as surveillance at phytosanitary verification points.

Seder urges producers to conduct early detection of potential cases and report them without fear of sanctions, as free attention and treatment are offered. Reports can be made by phone at 800 751 21 00, by WhatsApp at 55 39 96 66 42, or through the Avise application.