Mexico Confirms First Human Case of Flesh-Eating Maggot Disease
MEXICO – The Mexican Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday that the country had detected its first human case of myiasis, a flesh-eating maggot disease.
The patient, a 77-year-old woman from Acacoyagua in Chiapas, was infected with Cochliomyia hominivorax, a parasitic fly known for feeding on the living tissue of animals and humans.
She is currently receiving antibiotic treatment at Ciudad Salud specialized hospital in Tapachula.
According to Mexican health officials, myiasis primarily affects livestock but can occasionally spread to humans.
As of now, no additional human cases have been reported in Mexico.
Authorities have swiftly initiated prevention and epidemiological surveillance measures to monitor and control the disease, working alongside the Mexican National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (Senasica).
Earlier this year, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed a case of the flesh-eating parasite infecting cattle in Tabasco.
Another case was detected in November 2024, which led to the temporary suspension of Mexican cattle imports by the United States after an infected cow was found on a farm in Chiapas.
Cochliomyia hominivorax, commonly known as the screwworm, is native to the Americas.
The parasite typically enters its host through open wounds, ears, or the umbilical cord, causing severe tissue damage, which in extreme cases may lead to organ failure or death.
Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, depression, and worsening skin lesions. Treatment involves surgical removal of larvae and intensive wound care to prevent complications.
According to Daily Mail, Mexican authorities remain on high alert, ensuring rapid response measures are in place to contain any further outbreaks.
