Flesh-Eating Maggots Invade US: Is This the Start of an Epidemic?

2025-09-08 00:00:18.059

A patient in Maryland was diagnosed in August with New World screwworm, a parasitic fly, after traveling to El Salvador. Doctors and veterinarians say the case poses very low risks for human health in the US, but it comes after an increase of cases in South and Central America and the Caribbean in recent years. It also highlights the importance of international cooperation on research and prevention. For decades, the fight against the screwworm was a success story, but recent budget cuts and resurgences threaten this progress. The US Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency, paving the way to evaluate existing anti-parasitic medications for animal use. There are no established treatments for humans. The Maryland case was diagnosed early, minimizing transmission risk. Experts emphasize that screwworm transmission is slow and not widespread in humans. The focus is on protecting livestock, as screwworm infestations can cause serious economic damage. This case serves as a sentinel event, indicating spread in the country where the patient was infected. Female flies lay eggs in wounds, and the larvae burrow into living flesh. In the 1950s, scientists developed a sterile-fly technique to control populations, successfully pushing the screwworm south. However, around 2022, the screwworm began creeping northward, possibly due to cross-border livestock trade. The US is reopening a Texas breeding facility for sterile flies and expanding monitoring programs. The USDA is inspecting cattle to prevent infestations. Officials assure that there's no risk of infection from eating beef. The HHS emergency declaration will allow for faster evaluation of animal medications for potential emergency use. The fight against screwworms highlights the interconnectedness of public health, requiring collaboration between humans and animals, doctors and veterinarians, and local and international agencies.