Costa Rica declares a State of Health Emergency due to Screwworm

A state of health emergency was declared in the country to prevent, control and eradicate the spread of the screwworm disease. Among the actions carried out to eradicate the screwworm, active surveillance is carried out on the farms where cases are detected and suspicious complaints are attended to at livestock auctions, veterinary pharmacies and residential homes. As part of the control measures carried out by SENASA, around 15 million sterile male flies are being dispersed in 5 flights per week nationwide and traps were placed to identify the presence of the fly, with the aim of defining affected areas and establish control measures.