The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is working with Mexico to develop a new protocol to allow Mexican cattle trade while minimizing the risk of spreading the parasite. USDA’s Gary Crawford visited with Dr. Burke Healey of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to talk about new protocols being developed to allow Mexico to process animals and minimize the risk of screwworm infestation. Dr. Healey is an OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Alum.
Mexico has established multiple checkpoints to monitor their southern border, which has led to the detection of the infected case. The US border remains closed to Mexican cattle, with a potential reopening within three weeks, but most likely not until after the Christmas holidays in January.
The collaboration includes the setting up of new livestock inspection sites and eradication efforts in Mexico. Dr. Healey is optimistic about the progress being made, and the steps being taken to resolve this issue.
