Flesh-eating Screwworms Infect Over 500 People in Mexico
Mexico has reported over 500 human cases of the flesh-eating screwworm fly since its re-emergence in 2024. The infestation rate is increasing, according to recent surveillance and study data.
Over 500 human cases of the flesh-eating screwworm fly have been reported in Mexico, with infections mounting since the parasite's re-emergence in 2024. Surveillance data from Mexico's Ministry of Health indicates a significant number of cases in 2025 and 2026.
A study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases analyzed over 200 confirmed cases between April 2025 and March 2026. The research found that the pace of infestation is accelerating.
Within the study's cohort of 200 cases, six deaths were reported. Researchers in Mexico indicated that at least one fatality was directly attributed to the fly's maggots.
The New World screwworm fly, once endemic to Mexico and the US, lays hundreds of eggs in the wounds and orifices of warm-blooded animals. The resulting maggots hatch rapidly and consume living flesh, causing severe, life-threatening wounds in various species, including humans. While detrimental to human health, the screwworm fly poses a particularly significant threat to livestock.