By Andi Anderson
The United States has confirmed its first human case of travel-related New World screwworm, a dangerous parasite that eats living tissue. The Maryland Department of Health said the patient has recovered, and no spread to other people or animals has been found.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case on August 4 in a traveler returning from El Salvador. However, the public was not informed until late August, nearly three weeks later.
This delay has led to frustration in the livestock industry. Neal Wilkins, CEO of the East Foundation, said the lack of timely information erodes trust, noting that landowners and producers may feel they are not being told the full story.
Bill Bullard, Chief Executive Officer of R-CALF USA, also voiced concern. He stressed that producers depend on the USDA to protect herds from foreign pests and maintain fair livestock markets. He argued that all producers, not just select groups, should have received timely updates about the confirmed case.
Meanwhile, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins did not mention the human case during her August 15 visit to Texas, where she announced $750 million for a new facility to breed sterile flies to help fight screwworms. USDA has confirmed no animal cases this year and has not responded to questions about communication with the CDC.
New World screwworms are parasitic flies that lay eggs in wounds of warm-blooded animals. Their larvae burrow into tissue, causing serious damage and sometimes death if untreated.
Human infections are rare, but livestock face much greater risks. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, screwworm infestations can kill even full-grown cattle within 10 days.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National