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2h ago

U.S. Confirms First Travel-Linked Human Screwworm Case in Maryland

Officials describe a very low public-health risk, prioritizing measures to keep the parasite from U.S. herds.

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FILE PHOTO: Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows, are observed at the COPEG sterile fly production plant, which fights the spread of the cattle screwworm, in Pacora, Panama, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo

Overview

  • HHS said the Maryland patient’s infestation was confirmed by the CDC on Aug. 4 after travel to El Salvador.
  • Industry emails and earlier reports cited Guatemala as the travel origin, a discrepancy federal officials have not resolved publicly.
  • The government reports no confirmed U.S. animal cases in 2025 as screwworm continues to move north through Mexico from Central America.
  • USDA has tightened southern border controls and is boosting sterile-fly capacity, including a planned Texas facility and coordination with Mexico and Panama, given current production shortfalls.
  • HHS authorized emergency use of animal drugs for screwworm, and USDA estimates a potential $1.8 billion hit to Texas if the pest establishes in livestock.