The New World screwworm remains one of the most serious transboundary threats to animal health, livelihoods, and public health in the Americas. In this webinar, participants will learn about the current situation of the New World screwworm in Mexico and the actions being carried out to prevent its spread and protect both livestock and people.

This presentation will outline Mexico’s national control efforts, including surveillance, response strategies, and coordination among veterinary, agricultural, and regulatory agencies. Attendees will hear about the results achieved to date and how early detection, rapid intervention, and sustained management are critical to limiting impacts.

Beyond economic losses, New World screwworm infestations pose direct risks to animal welfare and human health. The larvae can infest wounds in livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans, causing severe tissue damage and, in untreated cases, life threatening complications. By highlighting Mexico’s ongoing control actions, this webinar underscores the importance of invasive species prevention and response as a frontline defense for public health, food security, and cross border biosecurity.

Gabriel Ayala-Borunda, Director General of Animal Health, of the National Service for Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA) in Mexico
Gabriel Ayala-Borunda is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a Master’s degree in Microbiology and serves as Director General of Animal Health at the National Service for Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA) in Mexico. He has extensive experience in animal health research; the evaluation and implementation of animal and plant health and safety programs; and the national coordination of federal programs addressing animal diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, rabies in bovines and other susceptible species, and tick control. He has served as a consultant on projects for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Trade Agreement between Mexico and the European Union, and has worked as a private advisor to dairy production units in northern Mexico.