Mexico notified the detection of a new case of screwworm in the country, this time in a bovine in the state of Tabasco. This incident occurs just two weeks after the resumption of live cattle exports from Mexico to the United States was confirmed, which had been suspended due to this disease.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported the notification of the new case made by Mexico; however, no specific details were provided. Subsequently, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the notification to the OIE and noted that the detected case is located at the border with Guatemala, adjacent to Chiapas, a state where another case was previously identified that led to the suspension of exports at the end of last November.
Despite this new incident, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) assured that it will not impose additional restrictions on Mexican imports. According to a statement it issued, updated inspection and treatment procedures for cattle have been implemented after establishing working groups between both countries following the detection of the case in November.
Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture, Julio Berdegué, had announced in early February the signing of protocols to resume exports after intense negotiations to address this issue. Mexico exports more than one million calves and heifers to the United States each year, mainly from border states.
