Federal health officials issued a nationwide advisory after parasitic flies responsible for severe flesh infestations were confirmed near Texas, though no U.S. cases have been detected.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory on Jan. 20 warning clinicians and public health officials about the spread of a dangerous parasitic fly moving closer to the United States, following a confirmed outbreak just south of the Texas border.
The advisory comes after cases of New World screwworm were identified in Tamaulipas, a Mexican state bordering Texas. While no U.S. infections have been reported, the CDC said it released the alert to raise awareness and provide guidance on identifying, diagnosing, treating, and reporting potential cases, as well as precautions for the public, according to the agency’s health alert notice.
New World screwworm infestations occur when flies deposit eggs in open wounds or body cavities. The eggs hatch into larvae that burrow into living tissue, feeding on flesh. While livestock are most commonly affected, humans can also become infested, particularly under certain conditions.
Health authorities say the current outbreak across parts of Central America and Mexico has resulted in at least 24 human hospitalizations and tens of thousands of animal cases. Eight active human-related cases have been identified in Tamaulipas alone.
The parasite was once widespread in the United States but was eradicated through a large-scale program that released sterile male flies to collapse the breeding population. For decades, a containment barrier at the Panama–Colombia border prevented the pest from moving north. U.S. officials now say that barrier has been breached, attributing the renewed spread to unregulated cattle movement and increased human migration through the Darién Gap.
The CDC warned that people face a higher risk of infestation if they spend time in affected areas while having open wounds, sleeping outdoors, experiencing malnutrition, or living near livestock. The agency urged individuals in at-risk regions to clean and cover all wounds immediately, regardless of size or location.
Additional recommendations include wearing loose-fitting long sleeves, pants, socks, and hats; avoiding rural areas and livestock contact; refraining from sleeping outdoors; and using bed nets when sleeping in unscreened environments.
Clinicians are advised to consider screwworm infestation when treating patients with visible larvae or egg clusters in wounds or body cavities, particularly if symptoms include foul odor, bloody discharge, swelling, or recent travel to affected regions. All suspected cases should be reported immediately to state and federal health authorities.
The CDC said it is available to provide confirmatory testing and emphasized that medical personnel must destroy all removed larvae and eggs rather than discard them. The agency said ethanol is the preferred method to kill specimens.
Federal health officials stressed that early identification and containment are critical to preventing the parasite from reestablishing itself in the United States.
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