• The US confirmed its first human case of New World screwworm in a traveler returning from El Salvador.
• Symptoms include painful wounds and potential secondary infections caused by the larvae.
• The parasite poses a low public health risk but could significantly impact the cattle industry.
• Authorities are taking preventive measures, including building a sterile fly facility in Texas.
• The New World screwworm was largely eradicated in the US decades ago but has recently resurfaced in Central America.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first human case of New World screwworm on August 4, involving a Maryland resident who had returned from El Salvador. This case marks the first travel-associated infection in the United States, raising concerns regarding the parasite's potential spread, especially given recent outbreaks among livestock in Central America and Mexico, according to CBS News and HuffPost.

The New World screwworm (NWS), primarily affecting livestock, is a species of parasitic fly whose larvae burrow into living tissue, causing severe damage and potentially being fatal if untreated. In humans, symptoms include painful, open sores that may emit a foul smell and may be accompanied by visible maggots, as reported by Al Jazeera and India Times.

The CDC emphasizes that while the risk to public health is currently very low, the threat to livestock is significant, particularly for the U.S. cattle industry, valued at over $100 billion. This has prompted stringent monitoring and preventive measures, including the construction of a sterile fly production facility in Texas to prevent infestations, according to ABC News and NPR.

Experts underscore that infestations, while rare, can severely impact both animal and human health. Effective management includes immediate medical intervention to remove larvae and prevent secondary infections. The U.S. successfully eradicated screwworm populations decades ago and is now employing similar strategies to contain the recent resurgence, notably by developing and disseminating sterile male flies to inhibit reproduction, as noted by Newsweek and CBS News.