Screwworm Spreads to Yucatán Deer, First Wild Case

Mérida, Yucatán — For the first time this year in Yucatán, an infection of the New World Screwworm (NWS) has been detected in a deer, meaning the disease now affects six families of mammals, including pets, livestock, and now wild animals, the Secretariat of Rural Development (Seder) revealed.

The agency also reported that the pathology has increased by 13.12 percent compared to last week, affecting 10 new municipalities.

As of today, the state has 431 confirmed cases of animals infected with the NWS, distributed across 69 municipalities. Of the total affected animals, 339 are bovines, accounting for 78.65 percent.

Similarly, the infestation by the cochliomyia hominivorax fly, which causes the plague, has also affected 42 canines, 27 swine, 17 sheep, four equines, one goat, and one cervid, the latter detected for the first time. All affected animals range in age from four days old to ten years.

Of the total confirmed cases, 51 are from Tzucacab, accounting for 11.83 percent, followed by Tizimín with 46 cases, or 10.67 percent; 29 from Panabá, 6.73 percent; 21 each from Temozón and Tunkás, 4.87 percent respectively; 18 from Sucilá, 4.17 percent; 17 each from Oxkutzcab and Tekax, 3.48 percent each; 15 from Izamal, 3.48 percent; 13 from Espita, 3.02 percent; 12 from Buctzotz, 2.78 percent; and 11 from Cenotillo, 2.55 percent.

Furthermore, there are nine cases in Kopomá; eight in Mérida; seven in Maxcanú and Peto; six in Calotmul, Dzilam González, and Temax; and five in Baca, Halachó, Huhí, Kantunil, Mama, Motul, and Tecoh.

Likewise, there are four cases in Cacalchén, Cansahcab, Chapab, Dzoncauich, and Ticul; three in Muna, Opichén, Tekal, Teya, and Tixkokob; and two in Akil, Dzidzantún, Muxupip, Santa Elena, Tekit, Tepakán, Umán, and Valladolid.

The remaining cases are distributed across Abalá, Acanceh, Cantamayec, Conkal, Hocabá, Hoctún, Hunucmá, Ixil, Kanasín, Kinchil, Maní, Mocochá, Progreso, Río Lagartos, San Felipe, Sanahcat, Sudzal, Tahmek, Tekantó, Tetiz, Timucuy, Uayma, Xocchel, Yaxcabá, and Yobaín.