MEXICO CITY.- The government of Mexico declared the national animal health emergency for the screwworm infestation.
This Tuesday, Julio Antonio Berdegué Sacristánholder of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader), modified and published the corresponding Agreement in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF).
The agreement reinforces the National Animal Health Emergency Device (Dinesa) to contain the cattle screwworm (GBG) in Mexico and new actions are taken to contain and eradicate the pest.
The original agreement was published on July 29, 2024 in the DOF, and its validity was extended twice: on January 23, 2025 and on June 18 of the same year.
With what was published today, previous agreements are modified and expanded.
National animal health emergency activated due to cattle screwworm
The Federal Government formalized the reinforcement of the Dinesa to prevent and contain the spread of the cattle screwworm, a pest considered exotic and of high impact for Mexican livestock.
Why was the health emergency declared?
The published Agreement details that the Dinesa is activated when there is scientific evidence of the presence or imminent entry of exotic diseases or pests of mandatory notification that represent a zoosanitary emergency..
The screwworm plague, caused by the fly Cochliomyia hominivoraxaffects warm-blooded mammals by laying eggs in wounds, where the larvae feed on living tissue between 12 and 24 hours after hatching.
This disease is registered on the list of the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA) and is mandatory to declare.
The Ministry of Agriculture indicated that the expanded activation of Dinesa is necessary because The plague is already in the south and center of the countrywith risk of spread to free areas.
What does the Health Emergency Agreement imply regarding the cattle screwworm?
He new Agreement modifies articles 1, 3, 4 and 6 of the original documentand adds a fourth paragraph to article 3 and article 6 Bis.
This with the purpose of reinforcing surveillance, control and eradication measures in all animal health regions contemplated in article 134 of the Regulations of the Federal Animal Health Law (RLFSA).
Among the Obligated subjects include owners of susceptible animals, veterinarians, importers, certification bodies, laboratories and people who enter the country with animals..
Everyone must notify the National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) any type of worms detected.
Areas and regions where the national health operation will apply
The Agreement is mandatory observance throughout Mexico and covers the eight animal health regions established in article 134 of the RLFSA.
Las eight animal health regions established by the agreement are:
- Region 1: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Sonora and Sinaloa
- Region 2: Durango, Coahuila and Nuevo León
- Region 3: Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí and 29 municipalities of the State of Veracruz
- Region 4: Aguascalientes, Colima, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit and Zacatecas
- Region 5: Puebla, Guerrero, Tlaxcala and 103 municipalities of Veracruz
- Region 6: Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco and 33 municipalities of Veracruz
- Region 7: Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche
- Region 8: State of Mexico, Morelos, Hidalgo, Querétaro and Mexico City
Susceptible animals include all species of mammals and birds, except fauna of the aquatic environment, which can contract the so-called ‘man-eating worm’.
The authorities stressed that the collaboration of ranchers, transporters, veterinarians and state agencies will be essential to contain the plague.
The It fits explained that vehicles containing goods from regions with outbreaks are also subject to surveillance and notification.
“All these subjects are obliged to notify any type of worms to the Senasica staff.“said the agency.
New urgent zoosanitary measures for the movement of livestock in Mexico
As of the publication of the Agreement, mobilizers of cattle, buffalo, bison, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry must present the Zoosanitary Mobilization Certificate (CZM) for any transfer.
To obtain it, animals must be treated with antiparasitic (macrocyclic lactones) three to five days prior to document management.
Afterwards, they must be bathed with larvicide insecticide by spraying or immersion and subjecting physical examination to rule out wounds or worms.
The regulations establish that It is prohibited to move animals that are unable to stand, sick, tired or injured..
In case of injuries, owners should apply larvicidal and healing insecticides, and keep the animals in their units until they have completely recovered.
For mobilizations from affected areas, the CZM must specify the Federal Verification and Inspection Points (PVIF), Internal (PVI) y Emerging (PVIEM) through which the cargo will transit.
The agreement also details specific requirements for each species and region.
For example, Cattle moving from affected areas to free areas must be inspected, receive additional treatment and wear a second strap in buffer zones..
In the case of horses, their movement for slaughter is restricted from affected areas to free or buffer areas.
These are the requirements and controls for affected, buffer and free zones
The new article 6 Bis establishes particular requirements for mobilization depending on origin and destination.
For cattle, sheep and goats coming from affected areas, proof of treatment against GBG issued by Senasica is required, as well as animal health documentation supporting the CZM.
Additionally, when entering free zones, Animals must present proof of inspection, treatment with macrocyclic lactones and a second immersion bath. A second strap will also be installed to reinforce traceability.
As for horses, the prohibition on moving them for slaughter from affected areas to free or buffer zones is maintained, and inspections must be carried out by a Third Party Veterinary Doctor Authorized Specialist (MVTEA).
This is one of the most extensive health operations implemented in the country to protect livestock production and prevent economic and social damage derived from the cattle screwworm.
The Agreement enters into force on the day following its publication.