Maryland reports first case of flesh-eating screwworm in the U.S

In August 2025, a person in Maryland, USA, became the first confirmed case of New World screwworm myiasis, a rare flesh-eating parasitic infection after traveling from El Salvador, a country affected by an ongoing screwworm outbreak. The infection was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which worked alongside Maryland's health department to investigate the case. The infection typically occurs when the female screwworm lays eggs in a person's open wound or near body orifices, where the larvae can then cause severe damage as they feed on live tissue. Fortunately, the Maryland patient has recovered without further spread reported. The risk to public health in the U.S. remains very low, as stated by Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The New World screwworm had largely been eradicated from the United States since 1982 but has seen a resurgence in Central America and Mexico, where infections have dramatically increased. Reports indicate that infections in Panama skyrocketed from an average of 25 cases annually to over 6,500 in 2023. The parasite’s rapid spread to several countries has raised concerns about its return to the U.S., prompting officials to invest nearly $110 million to combat the outbreak and prevent its further encroachment into North America. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials emphasized the threat posed by the screwworm to the ranching community and the food supply in the U.S. Efforts are underway to build a sterile fly production facility in Texas as part of an extensive plan to combat the issue. Other strategies include a ban on imports of live cattle and livestock from outbreak zones, highlighting the significance of livestock health in the economic landscape of U.S. agriculture. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely, advising travelers to outbreak regions to ensure they take precautions due to the risk factors associated with myiasis. The confirmation of the Maryland case has intensified scrutiny on livestock health and management practices in the surrounding states, with experts urging prompt reporting of potential cases. Although there have been no confirmed cases of infections in animals within the U.S. this year, vigilance is deemed crucial with the ongoing risk from neighboring countries. Educational initiatives and awareness campaigns are suggested objectives to prepare both the agricultural sector and the general public for potential outbreaks.