Screwworm myiasis in Jamaica and proposals for its eradication

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Abstract
Information provided retrospectively by 313 livestock producers with 61,027 animals revealed that in Jamaica in 1981 the screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) was prevalent throughout the island at all times of the year, but especially in the wetter periods. Pigs were the commonest hosts, followed in order of frequency by goats, beef cattle, horses, dairy cattle, mules and donkeys, dogs and sheep. The commonest affected wound was the umbilicus of neonates; accidental wounds, tick bites and branding scars were less often affected. The estimated annual loss due to screwworm myiasis, comprising mortality, medication and labour costs for inspection and treatment, was about J$12 million. Other losses are due to failure to thrive and reduction in milk yield. The possibility of eradicating the screwworm from Jamaica is briefly discussed.

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