Canadian public health experts are sounding the alarm over the potential threat of screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that can infect animals and humans alike. The concern comes as the United States suspends imports of live beef cattle from Mexico due to the presence of the pest.
According to Associate Professor Jacob Shelley at Western University’s School of Health Studies, the spread of screwworm between animals poses significant risks to entire industries and ecosystems. “I think anytime we have a pest that’s spreading between animals, and can threaten an entire kind of system with risk, we ought to be concerned,” he said in an interview.
The parasite is commonly found in countries such as Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and South American nations. However, it has spread northwards to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico. A Canadian traveler who returned from Costa Rica was infected with screwworm recently, highlighting the need for better control efforts.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, noted that screwworm is a fly infestation rather than an infectious disease. The larvae of the parasite can cause significant harm to animals by eating live tissue. “The reason why this is so dangerous is because the larvae eat live tissue, not dead tissue, so they can cause significant harm to any animal…that they’re infesting,” he explained.
To prevent the spread of screwworm, the U.S. has implemented protocols to assess incoming animals and has released sterile flies in southern Mexico to help prevent infected flies from moving north. However, experts warn that preventing the parasite’s entry into Canada may be difficult due to the prolific breeding habits of flies and the current agricultural practices that allow humans and animals to come into contact.
If screwworm were to spread to Canada, cattle could be culled, leading to an increase in beef prices, according to Shelley. “It could affect the entire industry in Canada, so caution is warranted here,” he said.
The threat of screwworm has significant implications for both animal and human health. The parasite can seriously damage tissues and even cause death. As the U.S. struggles to contain the outbreak, experts are urging caution to prevent the spread of this devastating pest into Canada.
Source: CTV News
