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Screwworm alarm: First case in the USA ensures fear of health!
A Marylander traveled to El Salvador and infected himself with the rare screw worm. Experts warn of health risks.
Screwworm alarm: First case in the USA ensures fear of health!
In the USA, an alarming case of screw worm infection was found in a traveler. On August 24, the US Ministry of Health confirmed the first travel-related case of the New world screw worms (Cochliomyia Hominivorax), which attacks the skin and tissue of humans. The woman affected, who comes from Maryland, had been infected on a trip to El Salvador. It is important to mention that the patient has now completely recovered.
The screw worm is particularly dangerous because the larvae penetrate into the living tissue and feed on dead tissue. Untreated attacks can be life -threatening. The risk of public health in the United States is considered very low by the health authorities. According to a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), however, there is reason to vigilance, especially in view of the fact that there is an outbreak of the parasite in Central America.
Economic effects and precautionary measures
The spread of the screw worm could cause considerable economic damage, especially in Texas, the largest cattle production state in the United States. Experts estimate that an outbreak of parasites could burden the industry by around $ 1.8 billion. Livestock breeders and beef producers are accordingly concerned, especially because the US cattle foci is currently at the lowest level in 70 years.
In order to counteract the situation, the US Agriculture Ministry plans to continue programs to suspend sterile flying. In the 1960s, this strategy successfully contributed to extermination of the screw worm in the USA. A new system to breeding this sterile flying is currently being built in Texas and is said to be ready for use in two to three years.
Advanced health warnings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) viewed the case as a warning signal. Infested wounds can spread very quickly, and the authority emphasizes the need for a transparent exchange of information. Before that, almost 5000 cases had already been registered with animals in 2023 in Mexico, which increases the risks for both humans and animals.
Since the screw worm larvae make eggs in wounds of warm-blooded animals, healthy parts of the body can also be affected. So far, no cases have been reported to animals in the United States. Nevertheless, the vigilance of the health authorities remains high in order to recognize and combat future outbreaks at an early stage. The recent incident underlines the potential danger from this carnivorous parasite in the United States.
In summary, it can be said that the situation around the new world screw worm is a serious health threat that concerns both humans and cattle industry. Health authorities and experts work on solutions to prevent the parasite from spreading further. Interested parties can do more information on the pages of Focus and News of Israel read.