Flesh-eating screwworms feast on humans in Mexico; human cases top 500
Summary
A parasitic fly called the New World screwworm has returned to Mexico, causing over 500 cases of human infection since 2025. These infections create wounds by maggots eating living flesh and have resulted in at least six deaths, with one death directly caused by the parasite.Key Facts
- The New World screwworm fly lays eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans.
- Maggots hatch quickly and consume the flesh, causing severe and sometimes life-threatening wounds.
- The fly was once eliminated from Mexico and parts of the Americas through sterilized male fly releases.
- The parasite reentered Mexico after a barrier was breached in 2022, leading to over 36,000 animal cases and hundreds of human cases.
- Human infections, called myiasis, increased from about three cases per week in 2025 to over nine cases per week in early 2026.
- Most human cases affect older adults and those with health problems like diabetes and cancer.
- The most common infection sites on humans are the legs and feet, but infections can occur on other parts like the head and neck.
- Six deaths occurred in people with screwworm infections, with one death directly attributed to the parasite.
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