▼ Summary
– Flesh-eating screwworm larvae have entered Maryland through a person who recently traveled to El Salvador, raising concerns about the parasite.
– The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case on August 4, as reported by Reuters and a US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson.
– This is not the first human or travel-related screwworm case in the US, as such cases have occurred in recent years, though the CDC does not maintain a public tally.
– The risk to public health in the US from this case is very low, but the risk of an incursion at the US-Mexico border is currently high.
– Screwworms, once eradicated from the US and Central America, are now only about 370 miles from the Texas border after breaching a biological barrier in 2022.
A rare case of screwworm infection has been confirmed in a Maryland resident following travel to El Salvador, raising awareness about the risks associated with this parasitic pest. While the individual’s condition is being treated, health officials emphasize that the risk to the general US population remains very low. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the potential reintroduction of screwworms into the United States, a threat that has grown significantly in recent years.
According to reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention verified the diagnosis earlier this month. The patient had recently returned from Central America, where screwworms are still present in certain regions. Contrary to some initial claims, this is not the first human case of travel-related screwworm infection in the US. Similar incidents have occurred periodically, though comprehensive national statistics are not publicly maintained.
What makes this case noteworthy is the broader context of screwworm migration. These parasites were eliminated from the United States decades ago through an extensive eradication program that relied on releasing sterilized male flies along critical geographic barriers. For years, this strategy successfully prevented reinfestation. However, since 2022, screwworms have been moving northward through Central America, reaching countries like El Salvador and bringing them closer than ever to the southern US border.
Authorities in Texas and at the federal level are now taking proactive measures to guard against a potential invasion. Plans are underway to establish new sterile fly production facilities to reestablish biological control methods if needed. The situation underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring and containment efforts to prevent economic and agricultural damage, as well as rare human cases. While the Maryland infection is isolated and manageable, it serves as a reminder of the persistent challenge posed by invasive species in a globally connected world.
(Source: Ars Technica)
