"A New World screwworm infestation occurs when a NWS fly larva infests the living flesh of a warm-blooded animal, according to the CDC, which adds that female screwworm flies "lay their eggs on and in open wounds and mucous membranes," and they can lay 200 to 300 eggs at a time. The agency adds that the fly's larva causes "extensive damage" by burrowing into its host's tissue with "sharp mouth hooks.""
"Livestock are most commonly affected, and infestations in humans, which the CDC describes as "very painful," are rare. Countries in Central America and Mexico have reported recent cases of infestations in animals and humans, the agency states. "The wound can become larger and deeper as more larvae hatch and feed on living tissue," the CDC states. "As a result, NWS can cause serious damage to the animal or person it infests. Bacterial superinfection can also occur because of the NWS infestation.""
A human New World screwworm case was diagnosed in Maryland in a patient who had recently traveled to El Salvador; the patient has recovered and no onward transmission to people or animals was detected. New World screwworm larvae infest living flesh after female flies lay eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes; a single female can lay 200 to 300 eggs. Larvae burrow with sharp mouth hooks, causing extensive, very painful tissue damage and potential bacterial superinfection. Livestock are most commonly affected, while human infestations remain rare. The United States largely eradicated screwworms using sterile male releases and plans a new sterile fly facility.
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