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Have you ever seen those unsettling videos of wriggling larvae being pulled out of human ears or wounds? Doctors in Maryland recently treated a real-life version of that nightmare.
Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows, are observed at the COPEG sterile fly production plant, which fights the spread of the cattle screwworm, in Pacora, Panama. (IMAGE: REUTERS/REPRESENTATIVE)
Have you ever seen those viral clips of maggots being pulled out of ears or open wounds? A Maryland resident recently lived that nightmare. Health officials confirmed the person was infected with the New World screwworm (NWS), a flesh-eating parasite that burrows into living tissue.
According to Axios and Reuters, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said this is the first known human case of travel-associated screwworm infestation detected in the US. The individual had recently returned from El Salvador and has since made a full recovery.
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“The Maryland resident has recovered from the infection, and the investigation confirmed there is no indication of transmission to any other individuals or animals,” Maryland Department of Health spokesperson David McCallister said.
HHS officials stressed the risk to public health in the US is very low. The CDC, which diagnosed the case via teleconsultation by reviewing images of larvae, described NWS as a fly species that can cause myiasis by feeding on live tissue. While it primarily affects livestock, in rare cases humans can also be infected.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has previously warned that a screwworm outbreak in Texas, which is the country’s largest cattle-producing state, could cause up to $1.8 billion in economic losses. Outbreaks are common in South America, the Caribbean and parts of Central America, including Guatemala and El Salvador.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the rapid response. “This case was quickly addressed thanks to existing protocols, and we are thankful for the ongoing coordination between the CDC, state departments of health, state animal health officials and USDA,” CEO Colin Woodall said, calling the case a reminder for vigilance and routine monitoring.
Screwworms were eradicated from the US in 1966 through a sterilized fly-release program and a smaller outbreak was stamped out in Florida in 2017. Still, recurring outbreaks in Mexico have kept the threat alive, prompting authorities to breed and release sterilized flies across the border region in recent years.
Officials emphasized that the Maryland case is linked only to travel exposure, not local transmission, but it serves as a timely warning that the parasite is never too far away.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
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