Cases of New World screwworm infections in Mexico have climbed by more than 50% since July.
As of August 17th, Reuters reports Mexico has documented 5,086 cases of the flesh-eating screwworm in animals, a 53% percent rise from July, according to numbers released by the Mexican government.
The updated numbers previously unavailable to the public show 649 currently active cases of screwworm infections.
“That’s incredibly concerning,” said Neal Wilkins.
He told Drovers that a fifty percent increase in the number of cases from July to August, particularly in extreme heat, means that Mexico hasn’t gotten the parasite under control.
An NCBA spokesman says the increase in the number of NWS cases shows that the New World screwworm is a very present and real threat.
Drovers says the increase in the number of reported cases likely comes from Mexican cattle producers more closely inspecting their cattle and reporting any suspicious wounds or pests.
