First Human Case of Flesh-Eating Parasite in US
Health officials in the United States have confirmed the country's first-ever human case of New World screwworm, a dangerous flesh-eating parasite typically found in livestock. The rare condition was identified in a patient in Maryland who had recently traveled to El Salvador, prompting a public health alert and raising concerns about the potential risk to the nation's cattle industry.
What is the Screwworm Parasite?
The New World screwworm is the larva, or maggot, of a specific type of fly. The female fly lays hundreds of eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into living tissue in a corkscrew motion, feeding on the flesh. This process causes severe pain and, if left untreated, can be fatal. The parasite is primarily found in South America and the Caribbean but has been spreading north.
Low Public Health Risk, High Livestock Threat
US health authorities have stressed that the immediate risk to the general public is "very low." The case is believed to be isolated and travel-related, with no animal cases reported in the country this year. However, the discovery has put the agricultural sector on high alert.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that an outbreak among livestock could be devastating, potentially costing the cattle industry billions of dollars. In response, US agencies are collaborating with international partners to prevent the parasite's spread and are planning to build a sterile fly facility in Texas to combat the pest. Health officials are advising travelers to regions where the parasite is common to take precautions, such as keeping all wounds covered and avoiding close contact with livestock.
