Here’s what’s known about the first confirmed human case of New World screwworm in the U.S.:
What Happened?
On August 4, 2025, the CDC, in coordination with the Maryland Department of Health, confirmed the first travel-associated human case of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in the United States. The individual had recently traveled from El Salvador. Reuters+1AP News
Some industry sources, however, reported the traveler had returned from Guatemala, a discrepancy that remains unresolved. Reuters+1The Guardian
The infected individual has fully recovered, and there’s no evidence of transmission to others—neither humans nor animals. The Washington PostAP NewsReuters
What Is New World Screwworm?
It’s a parasitic blowfly whose larvae—also known as screwworms—burrow into and consume the living tissue of wounds, a condition called myiasis CBS NewsWikipedia.
Humans can get infected—though it's rare—typically when they have open wounds and travel to regions where the screwworm is endemic. AP NewsCBS News
The screwworm was largely eradicated in the U.S. by the early 1980s, thanks to a successful sterile insect technique, but has recently resurged in parts of Central America and southern Mexico WikipediaCIDRAPAP News.
Public Health and Agricultural Response
Public health risk is currently considered "very low" by the CDC and HHS ReutersCBS NewsThe GuardianAP NewsAxios.
The USDA is stepping up protective measures, including a plan to construct a sterile fly production facility in Texas, aimed at releasing sterilized male flies to prevent the pest from reproducing. Similar methods were key to eliminating the screwworm decades ago. Reuters+1The Washington PostThe Times+1People.comAP NewsWikipedia
Industry leaders and ranchers have expressed concern about delayed public disclosure and have called for improved transparency. Reuters
Texas, as the nation's top cattle-producing state, faces potentially severe economic consequences—estimates exceed $1.8 billion in livestock losses, labor, and treatment costs if an outbreak occurred. Reuters+2Reuters+2AP News
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