Mexico inspects 80,000 cattle shipments to combat screw worm

Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURA) has inspected over 80,000 cattle shipments, involving approximately 5.8 million head of livestock, to combat the spread of the cattle screw worm (GBG) in the south-southeast region.

Between October 28, 2024, and June 8, 2026, the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) implemented a national strategy to prevent the rapid dissemination of the pest. The operation included nine inspection sites in Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Tabasco, where veterinarians checked for larvae and applied treatments. Additionally, 15 inspection sites were established to review over 60,000 shipments.

Through these efforts, Senasica detected 222 cases of the cattle screw worm in shipments from various states. The detected cases originated primarily from Chiapas (54.1%), followed by Tabasco (15.3%), Oaxaca (9.9%), Veracruz (8.6%), and Campeche (5.9%). Positive shipments were returned to their points of origin to prevent the pest from spreading to the central and northern parts of the country.