1 week ago
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As the Ministry of Health and Wellness remains vigilant over the further spread among humans, Bautista says there is a joint investigation as it relates to animal and public health. He noted that the contact tracing is a part of that investigation. According to Dr. Salustino Pech of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), this first human patient may have come in contact with an infected fly in the Arenal area.
Dr.Salustino Pech, BAHA: “It is believed that he probably got infested at Mile 10 the Hydro Road that’s around Arenal going to the Mollejon hydrostation and there have been cases reported in the Vacadilla area in bovine. So we know that the flies are around that area so there is a high probability that yes it’s there that he got infested with screwworm. For screwworm the only prevention or control that can be done is what we have been pushing to always be checking animals regularly. Any kind of wound that is open to always be treating it. By treating it it’s meant for it to heal so that there is no chance for the fly or any probability for it to look for the wound. With people it would be the same.”
The new world screwworm is a parasitic fly that feeds on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. It lays its eggs in open wounds of humans and animals. The larvae hatch and feed on living tissue, causing severe pain, tissue damage, and in untreated cases, life-threatening infections. Since its first detection in the country, it has spread across multiple districts, including Cayo, Belize, and Orange Walk. By early this month, the number of confirmed cases had surged to over 300, with a notable increase in infestations in pets, particularly dogs. In tomorrow’s newscast, we’ll tell you of the national control plan by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE).
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