Health officials have confirmed the first U.S. case of a travel-linked screwworm infection, a rare parasitic condition caused by fly larvae that feed on living tissue. The patient, who had recently returned from El Salvador, was diagnosed in Maryland after lab testing of larvae samples.
Screwworm infections, or myiasis, occur when flies lay eggs on wounds or near the nose and ears. Once hatched, larvae burrow into tissue, and untreated cases can be fatal. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed that the public health risk in the U.S. is very low, experts say early detection and awareness are critical.
The infection also threatens livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats. To prevent outbreaks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to expand sterile fly programs in Texas. Health officials urge travelers returning from tropical regions to monitor unusual wounds closely and seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear.
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