Yucatán Screwworm Outbreak Spreads to 87 Towns

Mérida, Mexico — The state of Yucatán is approaching one thousand confirmed cases of screwworm, with 93 new infections detected in the last week alone, according to a report from the State Secretariat of Rural Development (Seder).

The latest data brings the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 959. The infestation has now been identified in 87 municipalities across Yucatán, with the municipality of Tahdziú being the most recent addition to the list. In Tahdziú, two bovines, aged six and eight months, were found with lesions in the ear from the tagging process and on a forelimb from a barbed wire injury.

Weekly Case Distribution

The weekly report detailed the distribution of the 93 new cases across 40 municipalities. The towns of Conkal, San Felipe, Temozón, Bokobá, Peto, Cenotillo, Abalá, Izamal, Cantamayec, Motul, Chapab, Hocabá, Dzilam González, Tahmek, Teya, Seyé, Kinchil, Santa Elena, Dzitás, Chemax, Tecoh, Chankom, and Teabo each registered a single case.

Two cases were reported in each of the following municipalities: Río Lagartos, Tunkás, Hunucmá, Ixil, Tixpéhual, Tahdziú, Yaxcabá, Ucú, Kanasín, and Umán. The municipalities of Tekax, Tzucacab, and Cacalchén reported three cases each; Panabá and Baca reported four cases each. The city of Mérida reported 10 new cases, and Tizimín reported the highest number with 23 new cases.

Affected Animals and Injury Locations

The report specified that canines, felines, bovines, equines, and swine, with ages ranging from two days old to 15 years, have been affected. The primary sites of infestation are the ear, navel, forelimbs, interscapular region, perineal region, cervical region, and vulva. These infestations are a consequence of wounds caused by barbed wire, bites from hematophagous bats, birthing processes, or fights between animals.

The cumulative data on animal types affected across the state shows 683 bovines, 156 canines, 31 sheep, 61 swine, 19 equines, four felines, three goats, and one cervid have been infected.

Ongoing Control and Prevention Efforts

Seder, in coordination with the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety, and Quality (Senasica), continues to reinforce surveillance, attention, and control actions against the screwworm.

The state government emphasized that treatment is provided free of charge and is administered by specialized personnel from the agency. The treatment involves direct attention to the wounds, including superficial ones.

Authorities are urging livestock farmers and the general public to join the control strategy by constantly monitoring their animals, promptly reporting any suspected cases, and collaborating with specialized personnel. To reinforce control actions, seven phytosanitary verification checkpoints remain active in various municipalities of Yucatán with the goal of preventing the illegal entry of livestock and containing the spread of the screwworm.

Suspected cases can be reported at any time, 24 hours a day, via the telephone hotline 800 751 21 00, through WhatsApp at 55 39 96 66 42, or by using the mobile application "Avise."