The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a flesh-eating fly that feeds exclusively on living tissue and poses a major threat to cattle and other vertebrates. A human case surfaced in Maryland after travel to El Salvador, with larvae found feeding on a person's flesh. Reuters reported the case based on a tip from Beef Alliance, and state veterinarians reportedly had to ask the CDC directly for information. The CDC is required to report screwworm cases. Female screwworm flies lay eggs in wounds or openings; eggs hatch in six to seven hours and larvae develop hooks by the third molt.
If the parasitic worm that once devoured a portion of RFK Jr.'s brain were alive today, it might rejoice upon learning that yet another parasitic worm has wriggled into the spotlight and captured the heart of our nation, or whatever is left of it. The worm in question is the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that poses a horrific threat to the cattle industry and, despite international efforts at containment, made its presence known in Maryland, found suckling at the flesh of a person
As an adult, aNew World screwworm fly looks like any other blowfly that infiltrates your house and seizes upon your trash. But while some blowflies subsist on necrotic tissue or feces, the screwworm can only feast on the flesh of the living. Once a female locates a living host-usually a mammal, but other vertebrates do in a pinch-she will seek out a wound or another opening, such as an eye or a nose.
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