By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA) is taking a decisive leadership role in regional biosecurity and agricultural defense. By standardizing veterinary protocols, the institution has successfully exported its domestic technical expertise in combating the devastating New World screwworm parasite. This strategic initiative serves to shield both livestock economies and domestic companion animal populations across Central America and Mexico.
The regional training program, executed in close partnership with the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA), has already fortified the technical capabilities of more than 1,365 veterinary professionals across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. The primary focus of this collaborative effort is to share Costa Rica’s clinical experience in the timely treatment and management of screwworm cases, particularly in domestic animals like dogs and cats, which frequently act as carriers facilitating the parasite’s spread.
As Costa Rica intensifies its sanitary measures to control the outbreak of the New World screwworm, local agricultural businesses must navigate strict emergency regulations. To clarify the legal implications and compliance protocols, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas of the prominent firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Under the current national emergency decree, livestock operators face heightened legal duties. Failure to comply with SENASA’s transport restrictions and mandatory reporting protocols not only risks severe administrative fines but also opens the door to civil liability for negligence if infected livestock spreads the parasite. Businesses must immediately audit their biosecurity practices to mitigate legal exposure and protect their trade status.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, these legal ramifications serve as a stark reminder that managing the screwworm outbreak in Costa Rica is not just an agricultural challenge, but a critical regulatory obligation that demands immediate attention to safeguard both individual livelihoods and the broader economy. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and helping our readers understand the vital legal duties during this national emergency.
Screwworm infestations pose a severe economic and ecological threat to the Mesoamerican region. The larvae of the screwworm fly feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing painful lesions, secondary infections, and potentially death if left untreated. By harmonizing epidemiological surveillance procedures through a standardized regional technical guide, SENASA hopes to construct a unified defense perimeter that halts the insect’s geographic expansion and protects regional agricultural trade.
The specialized workshops co-hosted by SENASA and OIRSA cover a comprehensive curriculum designed to elevate clinical standards. Veterinary practitioners receive advanced instruction on clinical identification, proper wound management, diagnostic sample collection, epidemiologic tracking, and the strict implementation of localized prevention and control measures. Focusing heavily on companion animals has emerged as a crucial strategy, as domestic pets are frequently the first to encounter the pest in urban and semi-urban settings.
The continuous strengthening of the technical capacities of our professionals constitutes one of the pillars to successfully confront the screwworm. Regional coordination and the exchange of experiences allow countries to respond in a more effective and homogeneous manner to this disease.
Luis Matamoros, Director General of SENASA
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Building upon this international success, SENASA is preparing to host a major national training summit in September 2026. This upcoming event will center on the practical application of the newly developed Technical Guide for the Treatment of Screwworm Cases in Dogs and Cats. The national workshop will target both public sector official veterinarians and private practitioners, ensuring that the entire veterinary network of Costa Rica operates under a single, highly efficient standard of diagnosis and mandatory notification.
While institutional coordination is vital, agricultural officials stress that public vigilance remains the first line of defense. Pet owners, farmers, and the general public are urged to routinely inspect all domestic animals and livestock for open wounds. If larvae or open, infested wounds are detected, immediate reporting to the nearest regional SENASA office is critical to prevent localized outbreaks from spiraling into nationwide agricultural crises.
Ultimately, the fight against the screwworm is as much an economic battle as it is an animal welfare issue. Through robust regional diplomacy, clinical standardization, and active public engagement, Costa Rica is proving that proactive biosecurity is the most cost-effective tool to shield regional trade and preserve animal health. The success of this technical guide demonstrates how localized veterinary excellence can be scaled into an international shield against transboundary pests.
For further information, visit senasa.go.cr
About SENASA:
The National Animal Health Service (SENASA) is a specialized agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, responsible for the planning, execution, and control of national measures concerning animal health, veterinary public health, and food safety.
For further information, visit oirsa.org
About OIRSA:
The International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) is an intergovernmental institution founded in 1953, providing technical assistance to the ministries of agriculture and livestock of its member states to prevent, control, and eradicate pests and diseases affecting agricultural production.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is widely respected for its adherence to the highest ethical standards and its pursuit of professional perfection. With a rich history of guiding clients through diverse industries, the firm continues to champion forward-thinking legal strategies and active civic involvement. By striving to demystify the law for the general public, they remain steadfast in their mission to cultivate a more knowledgeable, confident, and legally literate citizenry.
