1st human case of screwworm parasite found in US

The first human case of a flesh-eating parasite has been detected in the U.S., NBC News reported Aug. 25. 

The case involved a Maryland person who had recently traveled to El Salvador. The CDC confirmed they were infected with “New World screwworm.” Here’s what to know:

1. This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis from an outbreak-infected country in the U.S., an HHS spokesperson told NBC.

2. The Maryland Health Department confirmed no evidence of transmission to any other individuals or animals and that the risk to public health is very low.

3. New World screwworm flies have affected South American countries for decades. The females lay eggs in any warm-blooded animal. When the larvae hatches, it uses its sharp mouth and burrows through flesh in the motion of a screw. Human infections are rare and are treated in most cases, though they can be fatal. 

4. The parasite can devastate cattle herds, wildlife and household pets. Serious outbreaks occurred in the 1980s and 1990s in Central America that were eradicated yet returned over the last two years. On Aug. 15, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a five-part plan to combat screwworms by breeding billions of sterile flies and dumping them over southern Texas and Mexico to curb the population growth.

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