The following are (1) the key items addressed at Monday’s APHIS briefing on New World Screwworm/NWS): (2) what participants stated, and (3) questions and topics addressed.
Key remarks:
• If found in U.S., would take billions of dollars to eradicate.
• Currently developing protocols for entry from two ports (Chihuahua and Sonora).
— USDA currently working on import protocols with Mexican government. Will probably be next week before protocols are in a finalized state. However, best case scenario is three weeks for protocols to be developed/adopted. But holidays complicate this. Mexico usually closes ports for two weeks over Christmas. If that remains the case, looking at early January re-opening at the earliest.
• Pre-export inspection
— Injection of Ivermectin. Does Mexico have a sufficient stock of Ivermectin? “As far as we know, yes.”
— Stay in facility seven days, before presented at port.
— At sites, each animal will be inspected by Mexican veterinarians, make sure protocols are followed. Look for lesions, etc.
— When in U.S., same type of inspection will occur.
— Ports on U.S. side will be considered for re-opening later.
• USDA believes they currently have the resources needed to help stop and control the spread of NWS and implement their border protocols.
• Work being done to retrofit some facilities for sterile fly production.
Dr. Michael Watson, APHIS Administrator
• Friday, Mexico notified APHIS of finding at inspection control point in Chiapas.
• Working with Mexico to set up pre-clearance.
• USDA Secretary Vilsack and his Mexican counterpart have spoken.
Dr. Burke Healey
• APHIS began working on a draft mitigation protocol in September. A conversation with Mexico occurred last week before the finding.
• APHIS went through the protocol line by line with Mexico for three hours today.
• Protocol allows for pre-export inspection done by Mexico and requires an injection of Ivermectin. Following injection, animals must stay in the facility for 7 days before they can come to port.
• Oversight will be done by Mexican vets and SENASICA.
• Inspection will be repeated by APHIS when cattle come to port.
• Initially, APHIS will focus on ports in Chihuahua and Senora. Other ports will be considered later for reopening.
• Mexico is actively engaged in investigation of the outbreak. APHIS does not yet have a final report.
Dr. Cristobal Zepeda
• Oct. 1 change in Mexican government, but the SENSCA officials did not change so communication is good.
• Three federal inspection points from Guatemala to Mexico.
• All animals are downloaded, inspected for wounds visually and by dogs, and are injected with Ivermectin.
• Animal likely came illegal from Guatemala.
Topics addressed:
Wildlife and parasite transmission. The New World Screwworm affects all warm-blooded animals. It has been successfully eradicated from the U.S., Mexico, and Central America. The primary control method involves the use of sterile flies, with limited additional options available.
Stakeholder communication and import process. The draft response plan will be shared with stakeholders. APHIS is expected to finalize protocols by the end of the week. The process involves:
• Inspection and identification of pre-export pins by Mexico.
• APHIS inspection of the pins.
• Signing of an MOU between APHIS and the establishment operator.
It will likely take an additional week for the pre-inspection site to become operational. Cattle will then require a seven-day post-Ivermectin injection period.
Timeline projection:
• Best case scenario: At least three weeks before resuming imports.
• Potential delay: If Mexico closes ports for two weeks during Christmas and New Year holidays, imports may not resume until early next year.
Trade reopening strategy. Mexico has proposed regionalization rather than compartmentalization. APHIS will need to:
• Receive a protocol and request from Mexico to recognize zones.
• Consider the request.
• Begin discussions, which typically take several months.
Potential impact on U.S. cattle/beef industry. If screwworm were found in the U.S., eradication efforts could cost billions of dollars. However, the current situation involves a single case of an imported animal from Guatemala. APHIS assistance to Mexico with sterile flies can help minimize impacts.
Import statistics:
• 1-1.5 million cattle imported from Mexico annually.
• Half enter through Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
• Peak import season: October-November through early spring.
New protocols and limited ports may reduce import capacity and slow cross-border movement.
Sterile fly facility development. The focus is currently on Mexico’s plans to retrofit old fruit fly facilities. Dispersal can happen quickly, but retrofitting plants takes approximately six months, plus additional time to produce flies. Existing plants are sufficient to establish a barrier.
Movement restrictions and other livestock. No additional livestock will be subject to movement restrictions. Horses, which already undergo inspection and quarantine, will experience limited impact on trade.
Pre-clearance facilities location. The location of pre-clearance facilities is yet to be determined. They may potentially be situated near border sites.
Resources for control and implementation. Currently, resources are sufficient for control efforts and implementation of border protocols. Staff will be relocated west to manage the surge. Sterile fly production is ongoing, with 95 million flies produced weekly in Panama. Efforts will focus on pushing flies south and further reducing populations in the Central American region.
For the latest updates on control efforts, refer to the APHIS website.