The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has officially listed Panama and Costa Rica as regions affected by screwworm, due to confirmed cases in these countries. Effective July 12, 2021, for Panama and August 21, 2023, for Costa Rica, animals like horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from these regions must meet specific import requirements before entering the United States. These include inspections and potential treatments to prevent screwworm from spreading. This action is based on reports from international veterinary authorities and aims to protect U.S. livestock and pets from the disease.
Simple Explanation
The government agency in charge of protecting animals has found a nasty bug called screwworm in Panama and Costa Rica, and now animals from those places need to be checked before they come into the United States to make sure they don't have it.