Quarantine Imposed in Bacalar Due to Screw-worm Outbreak

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural and Fisheries Development (Sedarpe) has imposed a quarantine in Bacalar, a municipality in Quintana Roo, following the discovery of the region's first screw-worm case. This action aims to prevent the spread of the pest, which could severely impact the livestock industry.

Jorge Aguilar Osorio, the head of Sedarpe, warns that screw-worms can infect domestic animals, pets, and even humans, thus exacerbating the situation. As a result, urgent preventative measures are being put into place. These include treatments with negasunt and ivermectin to prevent lethal outcomes and further spread of the pest.

Quintana Roo authorities are working closely with neighboring states, the National Health, Safety, and Food Quality Service (Senasica), and Belizean authorities to coordinate preventative actions. The importance of controlling the pest to prevent economic fallout in the livestock sector, particularly in cattle exports, is being stressed.

This emergency situation calls for a coordinated and effective response to safeguard both the population and the livestock in the region.