NWS, also known as Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including humans. This pest can cause severe wounds and, if left untreated, can lead to the death of affected animals.
Previously, NWS has been detected in other countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, and its presence could pose a major threat to the livestock in Belize and the rest of Central America. Before the reported case in Guatemala, there were multiple cases in Honduras in the municipality of El Triunfo, Choluteca, where infected cattle and horses that were being moved illegally were detained at a Movement Control Point (MCP).
Baeza told Amandala that NWS would be detrimental to our cattle industry, which is reportedly valued at over $100 million.
“The immediate effect would be to our trade-in livestock,” he said. “It’s very possible that our trading partners could stop the importation of our cattle. The costs to our farmers would go up and the price for our cattle could fall,” Baeza added.
Belize became free from the NWS in 1992 and has maintained this status since then; however, with the rising cases in Central America, Belize is monitoring the situation carefully. BAHA calls on persons who suspect larval infestations in animals to report to BAHA’s Animal Health Department offices at 302-1388 in Orange Walk, and 824-4872 in Central Farm.
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Publish date : 2024-11-03 00:10:00
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