Mexico activates surveillance protocol to prevent the entry of the giant killer hornet

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The Ministry of Agriculture seeks to protect about 43,500 beekeepers who have an inventory of more than 2 million hives.

The arrival of the Asian giant hornet (vespa mandarinia) to the United States, has not only alarmed the inhabitants of the neighboring country and this Saturday the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture announced the launch of a system of “epidemiological surveillance” to prevent entry in the country of this invasive species. 

“ Although this plague is more than 2,500 kilometers from the national territory, the National Health Service, Safety, and the National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica) consider it important to start your search so that in case your entry to Mexico be in the possibility of reacting in a timely manner. ”said a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Social Development.

According to the Mexican authorities, the entry of this species would affect the 43,500 beekeepers in Mexico, who have an inventory of more than 2 million hives for honey production and crop pollination in the five producing regions of the country: Altiplano, gulf, Pacific coast, north, and Yucatan peninsula.

Senasica included the search for the giant hornet in its “epidemiological surveillance programs” after specimens were detected in the state of Washington, in the northwestern United States, bordering Canada.

The agency asked the technical staff that collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture to report any sightings of the invasive species and asked that during their field activities they inform producers that there is a risk of bites to people and animals.

“Their venom is more toxic than that of any species resident in the American continent and that, due to their size, common protective clothing is insufficient to prevent bites from the mandarin scooter,” the document states.

Known as the  “killer hornet”  for its size and deadly venom, the species is the largest hornet in the world and can grow to 2 1/2 inches long.

Source: notimex

The Mazatlan Post