Opening and closing of  Animal Health Week (April 26th-May 2nd). Members of VAB visited the local medial houses (LoveFm, CTV3, ReefTv, KremTv ) and recapped the events covered over the week and once again highlighted the profession in our community. 

On Thursday May 1st. A national holiday members of the veterinary community participated in planting activities.

On Wednesday April 30th, VAB took time to remember our fellow colleagues who have gone before us. 

On Tuesday April 29th. Dr. Ludwig and Dr. Stephanie visited our Central Prison and met with inmates with an encouraging presentation on animal welfare and toured the agricultural facilities at the Prison. 

On Monday April 28th, 2025 Dr. Williams shared a story with the local school written by our own Dr. L Palacio titled " A day in the life of a sheep farmer in Northern Belize". She also discussed animal care and welfare with the young student citizens. 

On Monday April 28th 2025, VAB hosted an online zoom event where Mr. Jerry Enrique's led a guided meditation and discussed the importance of mental health for the profession. 

On Sunday April 27th The VAB hosted an online networking event where we highlighted our partnerships with larger networks such as the Caribbean Veterinary Medical Assocation (CbVMA) and the Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)

The New World screwworm (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax  (Coquerel), is an obligate parasite of mammals, including humans, during their larval stages. It belongs in the subfamily Chrysomyinae of the family Calliphoridae of the order Diptera (true flies). Larvae feeding on the skin and underlying tissues of the host cause a condition known as wound or traumatic myiasis, which can be fatal. Infestations are generally acquired at sites of previous wounding, due to natural causes or to animal husbandry practices, but they may also occur in the mucous membranes of body orifices. Female flies are attracted to wounds, at the edges of which each female lays an average of 343 eggs. The larvae emerge within 12–24 hours and immediately begin to feed, burrowing head-downwards into the wound. After developing through three larval stages (instars) involving two molts, the larvae leave the wound and drop to the ground, into which they burrow to pupate. The duration of the life-cycle off the host is temperature dependent, being shorter at higher temperatures, and the whole cycle may be completed in less than 3 weeks in the tropics. Treatment is generally effected by application of organophosphorus insecticides into infested wounds, both to kill larvae and to provide a residual protection against reinfestation. Preventive measures include the spraying or dipping of susceptible livestock with organophosphorus compounds and, more recently, use of avermectins (especially doramectin) as subcutaneous injections to animals ‘at risk’. Strict control of the movement of animals out of affected areas also acts as a preventive measure. There are no vaccines or biological products available, except for the use of sterilised male flies in the sterile insect technique (SIT). In this technique, vast numbers of sterilised male flies are sequentially released into the environment, where their matings with wild females produce infertile eggs, leading to an initial population reduction and, progressively, eradication. The zoonotic implications are considerable because humans, especially the young, elderly or infirm, can be infested, with severe and sometimes fatal consequences. (WOAH, 2025)

Belize reported its first case of NWS the first week of January 2025 and a total of 20 cases have been identified 3 months after.