US Reports First Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite
TL;DR
A rare travel-related case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm was identified in Maryland, marking the first such human case in the US linked to an outbreak in Central America. The parasite, which feeds on living tissue, poses a threat to animals and potentially humans, but the risk to the US public remains low. The US is taking measures to prevent further spread, including building a sterile fly production facility and enhancing surveillance.
- Rare human case of flesh-eating parasite New World screwworm identified in US CNN
- The U.S. confirms its first human case of New World screwworm. What is it? NPR
- Flesh-eating parasite case detected in US traveler returning from Central America Fox News
- First human case of flesh-eating screwworm parasite detected in the U.S. NBC News
- HHS Allows FDA Emergency Use of Animal Drugs to Combat New World Screwworm, Protect U.S. Food Supply HHS.gov
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