Panama Declares a State of Animal Health Emergency due to outbreaks of Screwworm

The Minister of Agricultural Development, Augusto Valderrama, announced today the issuance of a State of Animal Health Emergency throughout the national territory due to recent outbreaks of Screwworm. COPEG executives presented the current situation of Screwworm, highlighting its increase due to factors such as the pandemic and climate variability. Minister Valderrama emphasized the responsibility of MIDA in the animal and plant health of the country, and signed the Resolution declaring a State of Emergency as a preventive measure in view of the increase in cases of Screwworm. This responsibility is shared with the Government of the United States, with whom the MIDA has worked together for more than 27 years in this program with successful results. Valderrama emphasized that COPEG has managed to control this scourge that affects bovine, equine, canine and human species, and has saved Panama, Central America, the United States and Canada more than 3.5 billion dollars a year by preventing diseases and damage to livestock. At this meeting, with the support of President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, the commitment to take all necessary measures to control this problem as soon as possible was reaffirmed. The minister urged Panama's cattle farmers to join in this task by identifying their animals, reporting cases of disease to the MIDA and Health authorities, and caring for the animals' wounds. Work is also being carried out to disperse flies in the affected areas, such as Darien, West Panama and the central provinces. Michon Oubichon thanked Panama for the control work carried out through the program and highlighted the continued support of the U.S. Government in strategies to control new outbreaks. He also thanked the National Cattlemen's Association for its collaboration and support in this joint effort.