By Belize Live News Staff: The Ministry of Health and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) are on high alert after Belize confirmed its first human case of New World Screwworm (NWS). The patient, a farmer from Benque Viejo del Carmen, is currently under close medical observation.
Since the first confirmed case of NWS in livestock in December 2024, infections have steadily spread across the country. By March, BAHA recorded 33 cases, which later doubled in April and have now surpassed 160 nationwide.
NWS has been reported in animals ranging from cattle to pets and even wildlife. More than 50 dogs have been affected since June, while two howler monkeys in the Cayo District tested positive in July. Officials warn that the parasite poses a growing threat if not controlled.
The New World Screwworm fly lays eggs in wounds, and its larvae consume living tissue. Left untreated, the infestation can become life-threatening. Although this is the first confirmed human case, officials stress that swift treatment is essential to avoid severe complications.
Authorities are calling on farmers, pet owners, and the general public to remain vigilant, practice proper wound care in animals and humans, and report any unusual cases to health authorities.
