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Mexico surpasses 11,000 cases of screwworm in cattle
April 24, 2026
12:12 pm
The spread of the screwworm in cattle continues to raise health alerts in Mexico. According to data from the livestock sector, the country has accumulated more than 16,000 registered cases since 2024 , of which 11,491 correspond to cattle , making this species the most affected and representing nearly 70 percent of the national reports.
The situation is especially relevant in a country that remains the world's fifth largest producer of beef , so the spread of this plague not only compromises animal welfare, but also the productivity of the livestock sector and the economic stability of the entire food chain.
The screwworm, caused by the larva of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax , invades open wounds in animals, where it feeds on living tissue. This infestation causes deep lesions, secondary infections, and, in severe cases, can lead to the animal's death. The presence of moisture, poorly treated wounds, and inadequate hygiene practices are factors that favor its rapid spread.
The southern and southeastern states of the country have the highest incidence, with Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Veracruz as hotspots. Specialists warn that, without a swift and coordinated intervention, the plague could spread to new regions and affect more species, including pigs, sheep, horses, and even domestic animals.
Homero García, president of the Board of Directors of the National Confederation of Livestock Organizations, pointed out that the problem requires a comprehensive response from producers, authorities and specialists.
“The screwworm not only represents a health problem, but also an economic one for producers. Having fast-acting and long-lasting solutions is essential to reduce losses and prevent its spread,” he stated.
For his part, Alberto García Escalera, technical manager of the Livestock Unit of MSD Animal Health in Mexico, stressed that the high concentration of cases in cattle reflects a direct risk to the productivity of the sector.
"Controlling it requires constant monitoring, timely attention, and effective therapeutic tools to break the infestation cycle."
In addition to the health impact, specialists warn that a crisis of this magnitude can affect food safety, increase treatment costs, and generate losses due to animal mortality, decreased productivity, and impacts on national and international markets.
Fernando Parrodi, director of Business Development and Regulatory Affairs at MSD Animal Health in Mexico, emphasized that screwworm control cannot be addressed in isolation.
"A coordinated response is required between authorities, industry and producers, based on effective regulation, health surveillance and scientifically backed solutions."
Experts agreed that prevention remains the most effective tool for containing the plague. Regular livestock inspections, prompt wound care, and the application of treatments approved by the Ministry of Agriculture are key measures to interrupt the infestation cycle.
Currently, Mexico has technological and therapeutic innovations that, according to specialists in the sector, have demonstrated high effectiveness for the control of the parasite, even with eradication levels close to 100 percent in the field.
In a context where animal health directly impacts food security and the competitiveness of the livestock sector, the immediate attention to the screwworm is emerging as a strategic priority for the country.
https://lasempresasverdes.com/mexico-supera-11-mil-casos-de-gusano-barrenador-en-ganado/
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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuevo_Le%C3%B3n
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First case of screwworm detected in horse; Nuevo León reports 14 infections
The state of Nuevo León has seen an increase of more than 300% in one month and is expanding the list of affected species.
César Cubero
Nuevo León /24.04.2026 09:10:00
Nuevo León registered a new case of cattle screwworm (GBG), this time in a horse in the municipality of Aramberri , bringing the total number of infections in the state to 14 since the beginning of the outbreak in the country, according to the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality.
The case, confirmed on April 22, also represents the first detection of this plague in a horse within the state , expanding the list of affected species, where infections had already been documented in cattle, dogs and a sheep.
According to the monitoring of the outbreak, its growth has accelerated, with 11 of the 14 cases registered in the last month , between March 23 and April 22. Before that period, the organization had only recorded three cases , all in cattle, detected between September and November 2025.
This increase represents a 366.67 percent rise in infections , in addition to marking milestones in the appearance of new cases by species , such as the first infected dog, the first sheep and now the first horse.
These are the screwworm cases in each municipality of Nuevo León
Regarding the distribution by municipality , Aramberri leads the list with five cases, followed by Montemorelos with three. Allende, Hualahuises, Marín, Mier y Noriega, Monterrey, and Sabinas Hidalgo each have one case.
By species, cattle continue to be the most affected with eight cases , followed by canines with four, while sheep and horses each register one.
Nationally , figures from Senasica indicate that there are 21,672 accumulated cases of screwworm infestation, of which 1,518 remain active. Chiapas leads in incidence, followed by Oaxaca and Veracruz.
The outbreak in Nuevo León , although still with lower numbers compared to other states , reflects an upward trend that keeps health authorities on alert due to its rapid spread among different species.
https://www.telediario.mx/comunidad/nuevo-leon-se-confirman-14-casos-gusano-barrenador
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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamaulipas
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Screwworm cases in Tamaulipas reach 114; officials demand increased livestock surveillance
Neglect of calf wounds complicates the fight against the state plague
April 24, 2026...
The livestock health situation in Tamaulipas faces a significant challenge with 114 active outbreaks of screwworm in cattle. Federal efforts are being coordinated to contain them, as reported by Cuauhtémoc Amaya García.
Most of the outbreaks occur in newborn calves, specifically through infected navels, according to the Undersecretary of Livestock and Forestry Development .
“80% of active cases are in navels… if we don’t address that, we won’t solve the problem,” he said.
Authorities reinforce sanitary measures to eradicate the screwworm plague in cattle in Tamaulipas
To combat the spread, medications such as doramectin are used, and high-risk areas are demarcated through constant sanitary sweeps. At checkpoints, trained dogs inspect livestock to detect myiasis or open lesions that could endanger animal health .
“We continue working hand in hand with the federation… each case is being addressed individually, a focal and perifocal zone is being delimited, a sweep is being carried out, and doramectin is being applied. We are controlling the movement of animals… with canine teams that help us check that the animals are not traveling with injuries,” he noted.
Currently, approximately 70 million sterile flies from Panama are released weekly to disrupt the insect's reproduction . Despite this massive deployment, technical support alone is insufficient without the help of ranchers to stop the screwworm infestation in cattle, the official stated.
“We’re talking about around 70 million sterile flies per week in the state. Even if 500 million flies are released, if we don’t treat the calves and the wounds, the government won’t be able to eradicate the plague,” he emphasized.
Amaya García emphasized that prevention on every ranch is vital, as official personnel cannot cover each property individually . If the animals, including backyard livestock, are not treated, the fly will continue its life cycle and the infestation will persist in the region.
“I don’t want to talk about blame, but rather about responsibility and shared responsibility… the government doesn’t have enough staff to be in every ranch,” he said.
By Jordan Espinosa
https://voxpopulinoticias.com.mx/20...de-gusano-barrenador-en-ganado-en-tamaulipas/
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