A woman in Collier County, Florida, contracted the first human case of screwworm in the United States in over 40 years. The parasitic larvae, which feed on living tissue, were discovered in her wound after she returned from traveling abroad.
Screwworms were eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s through the sterile insect technique, a process of releasing sterilized male flies to disrupt reproduction. This aggressive and costly campaign successfully eliminated the pest from the country.
The woman sought treatment after noticing a wound that was infested with the larvae. Agricultural officials confirmed the screwworm infestation, triggering an immediate investigation and response. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued an animal health advisory for the region to prevent the spread of the parasite.
While the woman’s case is isolated, it highlights the potential for screwworms to re-emerge, particularly with increased international travel and warmer climates. Officials are diligently monitoring livestock and other animals in the area and are enacting preventative measures to protect both animal and human populations from future infestations. The focus is on preventing the parasite from establishing itself again in the United States and safeguarding agricultural industries and public health.
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