Judith Pena | February 23, 2023
After an unusual increase in cases of Livestock Screwworm (GBG) was registered in the province of Darién (749 cases to date), in less than 21 days, the National Directorate of Animal Health of the Ministry of Agricultural Development, declared an outbreak in this area of the country.
Cecilia De Escobar, National Director of Animal Health, explained that this outbreak leaves Darién as a vulnerable point due to its connection with South America, where the plague exists and the occasional entry of GBG flies with reproductive capacity.
He stressed that there have also been 33 positive cases in the communities of Pigandí, Catrigantí, Palmas Bellas, as well as the districts of Chepo and Chimán, province of Panama, communities close to the province of Darién.
He assured that most of the cases have been registered thanks to the lack of prevention and healing of wounds (navels, diseating, peeling, castration, vampire bites, among others).
He said that in view of this situation they are intensifying and extending the aerial dispersal of sterile flies, in addition to releasing sterile flies on land in the affected areas.
A systematic review of all animals that pass through the Agua Fría, Platanilla, Loma Bonita, Río Iglesias and Capira Mobilization Control Posts is also carried out.
Additional epidemiological tracking, in areas where cases occur.
The specialist asked the livestock sector for its collaboration, especially the provinces of Panama and Darién, in the following activities:
• Frequent review of your animals.
• Prevention and healing of all wounds, especially the navels of newborns.
• Sampling of worms or any other state of the parasite and delivery to COPEG or MIDA personnel.
• Report immediately to COPEG personnel and/or through the toll free line 800-2673.
• Inspection before shipment and transport only healthy animals.
“We urge transporters to collaborate and stop at the Mobilization Control Posts to guarantee the inspection of the animals in order to prevent the spread of the plague outside the control areas,” he said.
