Chinese Customs Intercepts Disease-Carrying House Fly

On February 13, 2025, customs officers in Zhongshan made a significant interception during a routine inspection of a ship entering mainland waters. For the first time, they discovered a species of house fly known as *Neomyia indica*, which is considered a potential carrier of harmful pathogens.

The interception occurred on a vessel headed for Hong Kong, where multiple insects were found in the galley during a quarantine check. Upon further investigation, one of the insects was identified as Neomyia indica, classified as a vector species. This incident marks the first detection of this particular species at a mainland port, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of house flies by customs officials.

Neomyia indica is predominantly found in East Asia and Southeast Asia. These flies can become vectors for various viruses, bacteria, and parasites, particularly when they come into contact with contaminated feces, posing a risk to food safety and human health.

In 2024, Zhongshan customs intercepted a total of 145 batches containing 2,132 imported vector species, which included rodents, cockroaches, and flies, underscoring their commitment to monitoring potential disease carriers.