MEMBERS OF the public are being asked to desist from damaging the boxes from which screw-worm flies are being released.
"We have received reports that individuals out there have been damaging these boxes and we are asking them to refrain from doing so. These boxes with these flies are important to eradicating the screw worm from Jamaica," said information officer for the National Screwworm Eradication Programme, Tashana Sewell.
"If you see a box, leave the box alone, or if you see that you really need to help, open the box and allow any flies that may be in it to come out and do their job."
Since March of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture has been employing a new approach in eradicating screw worms from Jamaica, by using the boxes to disperse sterile flies into the wild, as opposed to the chill fly system, which was previously used.
Fed and energised
"Now we are releasing them in boxes as we find that this is less stressful for the flies. In addition, we are providing food for the flies inside these boxes so that when they come out, they are more energised and are better capable of doing their job," Ms. Sewell explained.
The box fly system utilises pupae acquired from Mexico, which are packaged into boxes containing some 1,800 pupae per box.
In the meantime, farmers are being encouraged to check all their animals for possible cuts and conduct corrective action where infestation is found, as well as to report all cases of infestation to the Screwworm Eradication Programme.
"If farmers see an animal with an infested wound, they can treat the wound themselves by simply using the screw-worm powder that we distribute free of cost. They should take a sample of maggots from the wound, label it with their name, address, the date, type of animal and submit this sample to the nearest Rural Agricultural Development Authority office or to the nearest screw-worm officer," Ms. Sewell advised.
She said farmers can also call the programme and an officer will visit the home or farm and treat the animal free of charge.
The eradication programme is aimed at ridding the island of the pest and to prevent reinfestation once eradication has been achieved.
