Quintana Roo strengthens measures against rabies and screwworm

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa delivered four fully equipped trucks to the State Committee for Livestock Promotion and Protection and announced the goal of protecting 18,000 head of cattle against rabies and applying 15,000 antiparasitic treatments and larvicidal dips to combat the screwworm.

This initiative, which involved an investment of nearly 6 million pesos, is part of a comprehensive strategy to guarantee animal health in the state, which includes the hiring of technical personnel and the acquisition of specialized equipment.

The governor emphasized that this investment not only drives the transformation of the agricultural sector, but is also critical to maintaining the positive rating of Quintana Roo's cattle herd.

"With the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, we are working to maintain the positive rating of our cattle herd so we can negotiate with the Mexican government and once again export directly to the United States from Quintana Roo, benefiting thousands of people in Quintana Roo," added Lezama Espinosa.

The Secretary of Agricultural, Rural, and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE), Jorge Carlos Aguilar Osorio, explained that these actions are part of the Comprehensive Program for Pest Control, Animal Diseases, and Livestock Safety.

He explained that, for the first time in the state's history, vehicles dedicated specifically to addressing these high-impact diseases, such as the bovine screwworm (BWS), bovine paralytic rabies, and tuberculosis, are being delivered. The strategy also includes mass vaccination and sanitary treatments.

Aguilar Osorio emphasized the importance of not lowering our guard against these threats to the productive sector and asserted that all of these actions are aligned with the 2025 Program of the National Campaign for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in Cattle and Livestock.

Governor Mara Lezama concluded by reiterating her administration's commitment to the well-being of ranchers and their families, working together to transform the state.

As of Tuesday, July 8, the World Organization for Animal Health reported 58 confirmed cases of screwworm in Quintana Roo, which have been detected in cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and even two dogs.