Quintana Roo Boosts Cattle Health with New Vehicles and Equipment

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The State Committee for Livestock Development and Protection has received four fully equipped vehicles for epidemiological surveillance against the New World screwworm and paralytic bovine rabies, Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa announced.

Strengthening Livestock Health Measures

Governor Lezama stated that the vehicles will support brigades working in rural areas, ejidos, and communities to protect cattle from rabies and parasitic infestations. "We are delivering four fully equipped trucks to benefit livestock farmers, ensuring continued vaccination efforts," she said in an official statement.

The initiative aims to vaccinate 18,000 cattle against rabies and administer 15,000 antiparasitic treatments and larvicide baths. The government allocated nearly 6 million pesos ($300,000 USD) for the vehicles, specialized equipment, and hiring technical personnel as part of a broader strategy to enhance epidemiological surveillance in the livestock sector.

Economic and Export Goals

Lezama emphasized that maintaining a healthy livestock population aligns with the state’s "New Agreement for Wellbeing and Development," which seeks to restore Quintana Roo’s eligibility for direct beef exports to the U.S. "A positive livestock rating will allow us to negotiate with the federal government to resume international trade," she added.

Jorge Carlos Aguilar Osorio, Secretary of Agricultural, Rural, and Fisheries Development (Sedarpe), detailed that the investment supports the Comprehensive Program for Pest Control, Animal Diseases, and Livestock Safety. The package includes:

• Four pickup trucks for epidemiological surveillance.
• Hiring veterinarians and technical assistants.
• Mass vaccination campaigns.
• Acquisition of specialized equipment.
• Sanitary treatments for tuberculosis, rabies, and screwworm infestations.

Aguilar noted that this marks the first time Quintana Roo has dedicated vehicles specifically to combat these high-impact diseases. He stressed the importance of vigilance against threats like rabies and screwworm, aligning efforts with the 2025 National Campaign for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in Cattle.

The initiative underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding its agricultural economy while pursuing international market access.