The US has confirmed its first case of a flesh-eating parasite, New World screwworm (NWS), in a human. The patient, from Maryland, returned from travel to El Salvador before recovering from the infection.
Countries in Central America and Mexico have been experiencing an outbreak of NWS among livestock, with Panama reporting over 6,500 cases in 2023. To prevent the parasite’s spread, the USDA plans to build a sterile fly production facility in Texas and hire patrolling officers to track wildlife crossings. The FDA has also issued an Emergency Use Authorization for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations.
Travelers to outbreak areas, those who spend time around livestock, sleep outdoors, and have open wounds are at higher risk of becoming infected with NWS. The US health risk is considered low, but the USDA warns that the parasite poses a threat to food supply and national security.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/1st-human-case-flesh-eating-parasite-detected-us/story?id=124949763