China reports first interception of disease-carrying Indian green flies

(ECNS) -- Indian green flies have been intercepted at Zhongshan Port Customs in south China's Guangdong Province, marking the first interception of this species at a national port, according to Gongbei Customs.

Zhongshan Port Customs officers discovered several flies on the ceiling and windowsill of the kitchen area during an onboard quarantine inspection of a vessel arriving from Hong Kong, China. The officers collected samples and sent them for testing and identification and found that they were Indian green flies.

These Indian green flies belong to the Neomyia genus under the Muscidae subfamily, primarily distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia, according to Zhongshan Port Customs.

After landing on contaminated feces, these flies may carry various viruses, bacteria, and parasites. They can contaminate food, causing human infections.

In 2024, a total of 2,132 batches of invasive vector organisms, including rodents and flies, have been intercepted by Zhongshan Port Customs.