First Case of Flesh-Eating Parasite Reported in US
The US Department of Health has confirmed the country’s first case of a dangerous parasite known as the New World screwworm, an insect capable of consuming human flesh in rare cases.
According to officials, the parasite was detected in a patient who traveled from El Salvador to the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case on August 4. Fortunately, the patient has fully recovered, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service describes the insect as slightly larger than a common housefly, with a green body, orange eyes, and three dark stripes on its back. Screwworms typically infest livestock, pets, and wildlife, but in rare instances, humans can also be affected.
Female flies lay hundreds of eggs in open wounds. The larvae that hatch burrow into the flesh, feeding aggressively with sharp mouthparts. Without timely treatment, such infections can become fatal.
Experts emphasize that human cases are extremely rare. A previous patient described symptoms including rapid facial swelling, enlarged lips, nosebleeds, and difficulty speaking within hours of infection.
The primary treatment involves quickly removing larvae from the wound and sterilizing the affected area. Prompt medical intervention can save lives.
Screwworm infestations first appeared in southern U.S. states in the 1930s but were largely eradicated by the 1960s. Scientists released large numbers of sterile male flies to disrupt reproduction. However, in 2023, the parasite spread from Panama into Central America and Mexico. A case reported near the U.S. border in July also raised concerns over livestock trade.
Health experts say there is no significant threat to the general population at present. However, the parasite poses potential economic risks to the livestock industry and the $100 billion trade between the US and neighboring countries.
