The first human case of a flesh-eating parasite has been confirmed in the United States. The patient contracted New World screwworm myiasis after returning from El Salvador.
Health authorities confirmed the case on August 4 following an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Maryland's Department of Health. Officials assess the public health risk as "very low" despite the historic nature of this case.
Parasite spreads from Central America
New World screwworm is a parasitic infestation caused by fly larvae that burrow into living tissue. The devastating pest primarily affects livestock and has spread throughout Central America and Mexico despite efforts to contain it.
The parasite was previously eliminated from the US in 1966. Only the Daily Mail reports that previous travel-related cases occurred in Washington (2014), Florida (2022), and Arkansas (2023).
High-risk areas and prevention
Humans with open wounds face higher infection risk when travelling to affected regions or spending time around livestock in rural areas. The parasite typically infects animals but can occasionally affect humans and birds.
Female screwworm flies can lay 200-300 eggs at once, according to the Mirror, with up to 3,000 eggs during their 10-30 day lifespan. The maggots cause serious, often deadly damage by feeding on live tissue.
Economic threat to livestock
A screwworm outbreak could threaten more than $100 billion in economic activity tied to the US cattle and livestock industry. Texas alone faces potential losses of $1.8 billion with two million agriculture jobs at risk, according to the Independent.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has partnered with international agencies to respond to the outbreak. Plans for a sterile fly breeding program spanning two to three years are being developed as a prevention strategy, the Independent reports.
Sources used: "Daily Mail", "Mirror", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
