The entrance of the fly of the Mediterranean (Ceratitis capitata) to the country was confirmed on January 9, 2024, putting food security and exports from the Dominican Republic to other nations in suspense. Now, more than 290 days later, the Ministry of Agriculture made it official that he eradicated the temporary incursion of the plague.
The fly was in the vicinity of Tip CaneLa Altagracia province, where it was identified for the first time and, through the monitoring and collaboration of several institutions, the presence of this species in the country was eliminated.
The minister of AgricultureAt the press conference, Limber Cruz thanked the technicians who worked on eliminating the insect, “who, thanks to their professionalism and training, managed to activate the protocol and win this battle,” said the minister.
From the Ministry of Agriculture They explained that the project had a investment greater than 1,500,000 dollars by the International Regional Organization of Health Agriculture (OIRSA) and the Dominican Government. In this way, the Dominican Republic is among the first 14 nations, out of 120, that manages to eradicate fly of the Mediterranean.
How was it done?
Organized by technicians from the Department of Health Vegetable and led by its director, Rosa Lázala, with the support of the Minister of AgricultureLimber Cruz, were based on the installation of trapping and fruit sampling, in addition to the release of sterile males in the areas of Los Corales, Tip Canein an area of ​​one and a half kilometers.
Even so, specialists indicated that trapping should be established in an area of ​​49 square kilometers from the epicenter.
Also, they had the help of Background of the Nations United Nations for Food and Agriculture (FAO) in the country, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Inspection Service Health animal and Vegetable from the US Department of Agriculture (APHIS-USDA). The latter gave special thanks for the eradication so that agricultural trade between the United States and the Dominican Republic would not be affected.
Measures preventive
Health Vegetable He stated that, despite the eradication, they will maintain active trapping and quarantines at entry points to the country as the main prevention.
Likewise, technicians will apply insecticide-bait sprays, bait stations, mass collection and destruction of host fruits and the use of the sterile insect technique (SIT).
