First Human Screwworm Case in Yucatán

Mérida, Yucatán — The Yucatán Secretary of Health (SSY) has reported the first case of myiasis caused by the screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) in a resident of the Izamal municipality who is originally from the state of Tabasco, according to a statement from the state government.

The patient was treated in recent days at the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de la Península de Yucatán (Hraepy), where they received timely and specialized care. This led to a favorable evolution of their condition, and they were discharged on August 11. The individual currently remains under outpatient follow-up by Sanitary Jurisdiction No. 1.

The detection was made through the coordinated work of the Directorate of Prevention and Health Protection and the Department of Epidemiological Surveillance of the SSY. These agencies implemented prevention and control actions in the area in coordination with local health authorities and with the accompaniment of the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety, and Quality (Senasica), with the objective of safeguarding public health.

The state agency recommended that the population keep wounds clean and covered with dry, secure bandages; perform adequate hygiene by washing with sterile solutions; avoid the accumulation of trash and organic waste that could attract insects; periodically monitor domestic and farm animals for lesions; and use physical barriers such as mosquito nets and repellents to reduce contact with insects. It also urged anyone with any sign of infection to immediately go to the nearest health unit.

Screwworm-caused myiasis occurs when fly larvae infest the live tissue of warm-blooded animals, most commonly livestock and less commonly birds, pets, and people.

In a related development, the state Secretary of Rural Development (Seder) reported that to date, 83 cases of screwworm in livestock have been confirmed in Yucatán. This follows the detection of 18 new infections in 12 municipalities of the state in the last week.

The majority of the cases have been registered in bovines, with ages ranging from seven days old to 15 years. One case was also presented in an equine and another in a domestic dog.

Among the Yucatán municipalities with a presence of the screwworm are Tizimín, Tzucacab, Tekantó, Temax, Temozón, Cenotillo, Ixil, Tepakán, Santa Elena, and Izamal.