U.S. Reports Rare Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworms in Humans

Quick Summary

• incident: A resident of Maryland returning from El Salvador became the first confirmed human case of New World screwworm larvae infestation in the U.S. from the ongoing outbreak in Central America.
• Threat Level: Low risk for humans, as infected individuals are likely to seek treatment promptly. The larvae, which feed on living tissue, cause severe pain but can be surgically removed.
• Livestock Concern: screwworms primarily threaten livestock and could severely impact the meat industry if they spread further into North America.
• Background: The screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was eradicated in the U.S. through sterilized male fly releases during the 1960s but continues to pose risks to neighboring regions.
• Countermeasures:

– USDA plans sterile fly breeding facilities in Mexico and possibly retrofit or construct plants in Texas/Florida.
– Experiments involving genetic engineering aim at long-term eradication strategies.
– Regulations restrict imports of animals like cattle and horses from affected areas to block parasite transmission.

!here