Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2025. 2:42 pm CST.
Contributed by Dr. Roxanna Alvarez, Director of Animal Health, BAHA: New World Screwworm was confirmed in Belize in early January 2025. Since then, we have had a cumulative total of 160 confirmed cases. This started in Crique Sarco in the Toledo district and has spread across southern and central Belize.
At the end of epidemiological week 24-25, June 14, 2025, or last Saturday, we had 35 communities affected in the Toledo district, 5 in the Stann Creek district, 29 communities in the Cayo district, 4 in the Belize district, and 4 communities in the Orange Walk district. The case distribution is as follows: Toledo – 90 cases, Stann Creek – 5, Cayo – 57, Belize district – 4, and the Orange Walk district – 4.
Within the past 2 weeks, 2 cases have appeared in the Orange Walk district, and the epidemiological investigation is ongoing. The delimited surveillance area is that of 3 miles (approximately 5 km) surrounding the affected establishments. Epidemiological investigation includes interviews, inspection of animals, and treatment of all wounds found on animals in the area. So far, no additional cases have been found.
The movement of animals has not stopped. It is instead regulated under S.I. 143 of 2024: Prevention, Control, and Eradication of New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax). The movement of animals is being controlled through this statutory instrument that allows for the inspection of animals and certification before their movement. ALL persons desiring to move any small stock or livestock must contact a Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) officer, who must carry out a physical inspection of the animal(s) to be moved. It is important to note that for movement within the infested zones of south and central Belize, otherwise known as the Toledo District, the Cayo District, and the southern portion of the Belize District, these animals must be inspected, and the NWS Health Inspection Certificate must state if the animal comes from an infested establishment.
Animals moving from the infested area to the un-infested area must be inspected and treated with Ivermectin in the presence of the Designated Inspector, and the NWS Health Inspection Certificate must state if the animal comes from an infested establishment. To be clear, the northern portion of the Belize District, the Orange Walk District, and the Corozal District are considered the un-infested northern zone since there have only been isolated cases. There is an Animal Movement Control Point at Sandhill in the Belize District to verify that the animals moving to this zone have gone through the necessary process and are compliant. These controls have been in place since March and are not being changed today, but remain under constant review.
Extremely concerning for us is that there is a marked increase in New World Screwworm cases in pets, particularly in dogs. On June 14th, we had 59 cases in cattle, 54 cases in dogs, 23 cases in pigs, 17 cases in horses, 5 cases in sheep, and 2 cases in goats. Of our 160 cumulative cases, 55 are active cases with wounds in the process of healing.
Notably, in the past 4 weeks, we have had 20 new cases in dogs. Even more concerning is that the owners of these dogs seem not to be aware of when infestation occurs and only notice when there is a large, gaping wound. We are calling on all pet owners to carefully inspect their dogs and cats, as diligently as small stock and livestock producers are doing. The response from producers has been positive, and the spread of New World Screwworm in Belize has not been as significant as that of other Central American countries. We continue to urge producers, pet owners, and the public not to take this detrimental pest lightly. Continue inspecting your animals, treat their wounds, and report cases of New World Screwworm to the Belize Agricultural Health Authority or the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise. Together we can control the spread of NWS and prevent the losses that it can bring to the agriculture sector.
Before I end, I’d like to thank ALL our BAHA and MAFSE officers for their continued selfless commitment to ensuring Belize and its food remain safe. I also extend thanks to IICA, OIRSA and the USDA for their support.
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The post New World Screwworm Update – 160 cases of New World Screwworm confirmed in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2025. 2:42 pm CST. Contributed by Dr. Roxanna Alvarez, Director of Animal Health, BAHA: New World Screwworm was confirmed in Belize in
The post New World Screwworm Update – 160 cases of New World Screwworm confirmed in Belize appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.