Mexico reports 53 per cent increase in flesh-eating screwworm cases since July

Mexico has recorded 5,086 instances of flesh-eating New World screwworm in animals as of August 17, a 53 per cent soar from the variety of instances reported in July, in response to Mexican authorities knowledge seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The up to date numbers, which haven’t been beforehand reported to the general public, confirmed 649 at the moment energetic instances.

“That’s completely regarding,” stated Neal Wilkins, CEO of conservation and cattle group East Basis. “Having a 50 per cent improve in month-over-month numbers, notably within the excessive warmth, means they haven’t gotten it underneath management.”

The U.S. border has been closed to Mexican cattle since July because of screwworm issues.

Screwworm strikes north from Central America

The overwhelming majority of instances have been recognized in cattle, although Mexican authorities knowledge additionally confirmed infestations in canines, horses and sheep.

Screwworms are parasites that eat warm-blooded animals alive and might devastate cattle herds and native wildlife.

Since an outbreak started in 2023, screwworms have superior northward from Central America into Mexico and inched nearer to the U.S. American ranchers and livestock trade gamers have carefully monitored the fly’s progress northward, fearing an infestation that may price Texas, the largest U.S. cattle-producing state, about $1.8 billion, in response to U.S. estimates.

Feminine screwworm flies lay a whole lot of eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. As soon as the eggs hatch, the larvae use their sharp, hooked mouths to burrow by way of residing flesh — feeding, enlarging the wound and finally killing their host if left untreated.

U.S. human case

On Sunday, Reuters reported the first human case in the USA of travel-associated New World screwworm from an outbreak-affected nation. The case, investigated by the Maryland Division of Well being and the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, was confirmed by the CDC as New World screwworm on August 4, and concerned a affected person who returned from journey to El Salvador, HHS spokesman Andrew G. Nixon stated in an electronic mail to Reuters.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture is sending a staff to Mexico in two weeks to confirm that Mexico is following protocol to forestall screwworm’s northern unfold, Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden stated on Tuesday.

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