US EditionU.S. confirms nation's first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak
Maryland's case marks the first human New World screwworm infection in the US this year, linked to Central American travel; early treatment prevents fatalities, officials say.
- In 2025, Maryland confirmed an infection of the New World screwworm parasite in an individual who had recently traveled from Guatemala and received medical treatment within the state.
- The case arose amid a screwworm outbreak that has been intensifying since late 2023 across regions in southern Mexico and countries to its south, leading to heightened alertness in the United States.
- US state veterinarians learned of the Maryland case last week during a CDC call, while prevention measures were promptly implemented in the state.
- In 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed intentions to establish a facility in Texas dedicated to producing sterile flies as a measure against the pest, which poses a potential economic threat of $1.8 billion to the state's livestock industry if left unchecked.
- This detection challenges US efforts to keep screwworm eradicated since the 1960s and may impact the cattle industry amid record-high market prices and border controls.
51 Articles
51 Articles
US Confirms 1st Travel-Associated Screwworm Case
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday reported the first human case in the United States of travel-associated New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, from an outbreak-affected country.
A dangerous parasite from Central America reaches the USA: The worm fly eats live meat and threatens a billion-dollar industry.
The first case of screwworm infection in humans has been confirmed in the United States. The larvae of this parasite live inside the host, consuming its tissues. The insect is particularly dangerous to livestock.
Health Officials Confirm Human Case Of ‘Flesh-Eating New World Screwworm’ In United States * 100PercentFedUp.com * by Danielle
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it confirmed a human case of ‘New World screwworm,’ a flesh-eating parasite. Health officials said the case involved an individual in Maryland who recently traveled to Central America. “This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States,” said HHS spokesperson An…
US confirms nation’s first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak
The US Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday reported the first human case in the United States of travel-associated New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, from an outbreak-affected country.
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