Mexico Trains Over 70,000 in Fight Against Livestock Pest

SADER reported that more than 60,000 livestock producers and 10,000 veterinary professionals have joined Mexico’s national strategy to prevent, control, and eradicate the New World Screwworm (GBG). The effort is led by the National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) through an ongoing awareness campaign launched in 2024.

Technical staff from the Mexico–US Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Other Exotic Animal Diseases (CPA), part of SENASICA, have trained representatives from 250 regional livestock organizations and held 1,655 educational sessions with over 64,900 producers across the country. These sessions aim to train those in direct contact with animals to clean wounds properly, identify signs of GBG, and report suspected cases through SENASICA’s emergency lines.

The initiative also targets veterinary professionals working in clinics, production units, and veterinary pharmacies. SENASICA has visited and trained staff at 4,400 clinics and veterinary medicine sales points, and delivered 103 online courses attended by more than 11,400 veterinary doctors.

In-person training sessions on the recognition of exotic animal diseases have been held in Chiapas and Aguascalientes, with additional sessions planned for Michoacan and Colima. A regional simulation exercise is also scheduled in Coahuila, with the participation of technical staff from Central America. These exercises aim to strengthen the capacity to detect clinical signs of quarantine pests and diseases like the GBG.

A parallel public awareness campaign is underway to inform citizens of the risks GBG poses to livestock, public health, and wildlife. Educational posters and brochures have been distributed to more than 4,400 veterinary clinics and pharmacies in seven southeastern states: Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Oaxaca, and Veracruz.

Information materials have also been made available in over 200 SADER state offices, 2,515 livestock organizations, 189 livestock identification offices (SINIIGA), eight Federal Inspection Verification Points (PVIF), and 43 local inspection points (PVI). Additionally, 230 official vehicles from CPA and state livestock committees have been equipped with loudspeakers to broadcast awareness messages.

To reduce the risk of pest introduction through the southern border, SENASICA has posted warning signs at six border inspection offices and reinforced the message with graphic and video content on SADER’s and SENASICA’s official social media channels.