Clive Bryan, Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA IS set to be declared 'screw worm free' at the end of June after an eight-year eradication drive which cost just over $1.2 billion, to rid the country of the infectious pest which affects warm-blooded animals.
The programme, which is administered by the Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, uses the sterile insect technique (SIT) supported by prevention, control and quarantine measures to eradicate the pest, which was estimated in 1990 to cost about US$7 million annually.
Sterile flies were imported from Mexico at the pupae stage and allowed to grow into adult flies. Small aeroplanes were then used to release the adult sterile flies are over the island. These sterile flies mate with native flies, without producing offsprings, to kill them.
Up to the end of 2005, the National Screwworm Eradication programme dispersed approximately 7.2 billion sterile flies over Jamaica. Another 240 million sterile flies are expected to be dispersed in the fiscal year, bringing the total number of sterile flies dispersed to just under 7.5 billion.
The method is further supported by the distribution of 1.9 million packets of insecticide and sample collection tubes and almost a million educational flyers and pamphlets to selected groups.
SEVERAL EXTENSIONS
The eradication programme was originally planned to last from 1998 to 2001. However, there have been five extensions to date, with the latest extension scheduled to end in June when the country will be declared New World Screw
Worm free.
Another $125 million is expected to be spent this year under the
programme.
In the meantime, the support of the public is being sought to assist with eradicating the pest. Owners of animals are being reminded
to treat all wounds with the insecticide powder supplied by the programme.
