Chinese customs intercepts house fly, potential carrier of disease-spreading germs

Customs officers in Zhongshan have for the first time intercepted a species of house flies - Neomyia indica while examining a ship coming into mainland waters. The species potentially carry unknown pathogens that might cause diseases.

According to Xinhua, the Chinese customs officers found multiple insects during a quarantine inspection conducted on a Hong Kong-bound vessel arriving at the mainland port. They were found on the vessel’s galley.

Upon examination, one of the insects was identified as Neomyia indica, classified as a vector species. This marks the first interception of this species at a mainland port, with house flies among the vectors under close monitoring by mainland customs.

Neomyia indica is primarily found in East Asia and Southeast Asia countries. These flies, when in contact with contaminated feces, can carry various viruses, bacteria, and parasites that contaminate food, posing a threat to human health.

Meanwhile, in 2024, Zhongshan customs intercepted a total of 145 batches comprising 2,132 imported vector species including rodents, cockroaches, and flies.