First travel-related human screwworm case detected in Maryland

The first case of a travel-associated human screwworm an infection has been detected in Maryland.

Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the affected person had lately returned from a visit to El Salvador, a rustic affected by a screwworm outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) labored together with the Maryland Department of Health to analyze the case.

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The CDC confirmed the prognosis on Aug. 4 after consultants reviewed larvae photographs.

“The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low,” Nixon stated.

New World screwworm, also referred to as myiasis, is a parasitic infestation of fly larvae that feeds on stay flesh, in response to the CDC.

An individual can contract myiasis when females drop their eggs on or close to an individual’s wound, nostril or ears.

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It will also be transferred by way of ticks and mosquitoes after the fly attaches its eggs to the bugs, per the above supply.

In the case of an an infection, a lump will develop within the particular person’s tissues because the larvae develop and eat flesh. It may be deadly if not handled at an early stage, well being consultants warn.

“Myiasis is not common in the U.S.,” the CDC states on its web site. “Most people diagnosed with myiasis in the U.S. were infected when traveling to tropical areas where myiasis most often occurs.” 

Livestock akin to cattle, sheep and goats are extremely susceptible, making it a big financial pest, in response to the CDC.

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Reuters reported final week that the CDC had confirmed a case of New World screwworm in Maryland from an individual who traveled from Guatemala.

The discrepancy within the studies concerning the origin of the case has not been confirmed.

This summer season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins introduced a plan to construct a sterile fly facility in Texas to fight the pest.

It is estimated {that a} screwworm outbreak in Texas might value the state’s economic system $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor prices and medicine bills, in response to Reuters. 

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There haven’t been any confirmed animal circumstances this yr.

Fox News Digital reached out to USDA for remark.

Reuters contributed to this report.