A resurgence of the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), a flesh-eating parasite that primarily targets livestock but can also infect humans, has prompt warnings from U.S. officials.
The parasite, native to South America and the Caribbean, was thought to be largely eradicate in the U.S. and Central America through sterilisation programmes in the mid-20th century.
New detections in Mexico and a rise in cases across Central America since 2023 suggest a troubling comeback, according to reports.
The parasite’s lifecycle begins when female screwworm flies deposit eggs in open wounds or orifices of warm-blood animals.
Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into the host’s flesh, feeding and causing painful wounds that grow larger as the infestation progresses.
As per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), screwworms can lay up to 300 eggs in a single instance, with a lifespan allowing multiple egg-laying cycles.
No approve medical treatment exists for these infestations, and physical removal of larvae remains the only option.
Reports indicate that Panama has heavily affect, with cases escalating from 25 annually before 2023 to over 22,600 confirm incidents as of December 2024.
Costa Rica has also witness a rise in human cases, with one fatality confirm earlier this year, as per U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica.
As per reports, to curb the parasite’s spread into the U.S., the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has impose restrictions on livestock imports from Mexico.
A barrier zone, maintain jointly by the U.S. and Panama since 2006, is being monitor closely.
Officials urge people in affect regions to protect open wounds, apply insect repellents, and report any signs of screwworm infestations in animals, according to reports.
Efforts to control the parasite’s resurgence continue, with authorities underscoring the importance of early detection and preventive practices.
