Published on Thursday, February 29, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The United States donated $10 million to Costa Rica via its embassy for the control and eradication of screw-worm disease (Cochliomyia hominivorax).

The worm is a parasitic insect whose larvae (maggots) consume live tissue in warm-blooded animals, including humans.

The female flies lay 250 to 500 eggs in exposed tissue, such as wounds. The larvae hatch and burrow into the surrounding tissue while feeding. If the wound is disturbed at this stage, the larvae dig or "screw" further into the flesh, resulting in the larva's popular name. The larvae can cause significant tissue damage and even death to the host.

According to the embassy, since the screw-worm was discovered in Costa Rica in July 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has advised the Ministry of Agriculture on pest control measures.

The National Animal Health Service (Senasa) will get $4.95 million from the overall donation. The remainder of the grant will be maintained by the USDA.

"Since the beginning of this outbreak, we are committed, as always, to continuing to the end (with worm control)," said Cynthia Telles, U.S. ambassador. "We recognize that combating a pandemic like this demands perseverance and effort. We are convinced that by working together, we can once again eradicate this (public health) threat."

Senasa will use these funds to carry out a two-year intense urgent action program that involves hiring additional technical workers in the control field and monitoring stations, as well as purchasing equipment, worm capture kits and medications.

In July 2022, officials verified the first instance of the worm. This was discovered in a disease-carrying dog located in Corredores Canton, Puntarenas Province. This instance is deemed imported since the animal was already diseased when it crossed the southern border from Panama.

Currently, health officials have identified 300 cases of screwworm in animals across the country.

This week, the first case of this sickness in humans was identified. The patient is a male living in Pavones District, Golfito Canton, Puntarenas Province. Who is receiving appropriate medical care and is in good health.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health issued a State of Health Emergency to battle the plague.

The warning enables fly control measures to be implemented, such as active surveillance on farms where instances are found.

Additional actions include dispersing sterile male flies, which is the primary method utilized to remove the worm. About 15 million sterile male flies are being disseminated countrywide in 5 flights every week, with traps deployed to detect the existence of the fly.

Checkpoints were also established to ensure that the animals being transported were not infected.

Authorities ask the public to report any suspected cases of sick animals or people by calling 2587-1600.

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What have you heard concerning the screw-worm plague in your country? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com