First human case of flesh-eating screwworm parasite confirmed in US

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first human case of a flesh-eating screwworm parasite in the United States. The patient had recently returned from El Salvador and was diagnosed with New World screwworm myiasis, a rare condition caused by the Cochliomyia hominivorax parasite. Screwworms are a type of fly larvae that can infect warm-blooded animals, including humans, and feed on their living tissue. While the disease is uncommon in the US, it is more prevalent in parts of Central and South America. The infected individual is receiving appropriate medical treatment, and the CDC is working with state and local health authorities to monitor the situation and prevent the further spread of the parasite. Authorities have emphasized the importance of seeking prompt medical attention if individuals suspect they may have been exposed to the screwworm parasite, particularly after traveling to regions where the disease is more common.