2 weeks ago
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, in collaboration with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, has confirmed a localized outbreak of Anaplasmosis, commonly known as Tick Fever, affecting cattle in the El Pilar area of the Cayo District. Minister of Agriculture, Rodwell Ferguson, says the ministry and BAHA are actively managing the situation and working closely with farmers to contain the spread.
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Agriculture: “We have done a test to through BAHA and BAHA recognized that it is caused by the tick, you know the tick that is on the animal that sucks the blood. And what that does is it allows the animals to become anemic and then after a while because of short of blood they pass away. It has been addressed and BAHA conducted the test in two days and recognized the cause of it and now we encourage the farmers to ensure that they get the medication that is needed to spray the ticks and the area because it’s infest with ticks at the El Pilar area.”
Reporter: Is there fear of it spreading to other farms in the area ?
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Agriculture: “At the moment it is only found in El Pilar area where the farmers work behind Bullet Tree.’”
According to officials, officers responded to multiple reports from farmers regarding unusual cattle illness and deaths in the area. Investigations carried out on January 12 revealed clinical signs consistent with anemia, prompting suspicion of a tick-borne disease. Blood samples collected from affected animals later tested positive for Anaplasmosis. A follow-up investigation on February 4 involving another registered cattle farmer in the same area also returned positive results. However, authorities note that no mortalities have been reported within that second herd. The findings confirm active infection in the El Pilar area and point to a localized outbreak impacting cattle health. The ministry is strongly advising cattle farmers in the Cayo District and surrounding communities to immediately implement comprehensive tick control programs, consult extension officers or BAHA veterinarians for approved treatments, and closely monitor their herds for early warning signs such as anemia, weakness, weight loss, and reduced productivity. Farmers experiencing unusual cattle illness or mortality are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture or BAHA offices countrywide for assistance.
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