One Infected Cow in Sonora Lands Days Before the US Reopens Its Cattle Border
Mexico confirmed its first screwworm case in Sonora in 46 years, days before the United States was due to reopen cattle imports at Agua Prieta on 24 August. The post One Infected Cow in Sonora Lands Days Before the US Reopens Its Cattle Border appeared first on The Rio Times .
On 19 August, Sonora, a Mexican state selected as one of the two lowest-risk locations to restart cattle exports, confirmed its first case of the New World screwworm in 46 years. The parasite was found in a cow at Munihuasa, located in the Álamos municipality of southern Sonora, just 17 kilometers from the Chihuahua state border.
This detection occurred during the planned resumption of cattle imports from Mexico, scheduled to begin on 24 August. Sonora was chosen for the reopening due to its inspection program and distance from the southern screwworm outbreak, rather than solely relying on case count. The state promptly implemented a 20-kilometer sanitary cordon around the detection site, released 360,000 sterile flies, and treated animals with doramectin to prevent the spread of the parasite.
Mexico’s New World screwworm issue has been addressed using the sterile insect technique, which has successfully eradicated the parasite from North America. However, the detection in Sonora has significant economic consequences, including an estimated loss of US$1.1 billion to US$2.4 billion in income and foreign exchange for Mexican ranchers and a projected reduction in cattle imports to the US.
As of 20 August, the staged reopening at Agua Prieta-Douglas was still slated for 24 August, depending on the USDA's decision.
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