U.S. Reports First Case of Flesh-Eating Maggots in Maryland

The News That’s Squirming Everyone Out

The United States has just confirmed its first human case of a screwworm infestation—the nightmare-inducing parasite also known as the “flesh-eating maggot.”


The patient, based in Maryland, had recently returned from Guatemala, where the outbreak has been spreading from Central America into southern Mexico since late 2024. On August 20, 2025, the CDC officially confirmed the infection, according to reports shared by state officials.

What Makes This So Horrifying?

These aren’t your garden-variety maggots.

  • Female screwworm flies lay eggs inside open wounds.

  • Once hatched, the larvae don’t feed on dead flesh like normal maggots—they eat living tissue.

  • Victims can host hundreds of wriggling larvae unless treated quickly.

Doctors typically remove the larvae one by one and disinfect the wound. The good news? With early medical care, full recovery is likely.

 Why Livestock Farmers Are Freaking Out

While humans can be infected, the real danger is to animals, especially cattle. Screwworm infestations spread rapidly among livestock and can cause:

  • Severe suffering,

  • Major loss in herds,

  • Huge economic damage to the farming industry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is already on alert. In fact, they’re investing in a new sterile-fly breeding facility in Texas—a strategy where millions of sterile males are released to outcompete wild flies and collapse the population.

This Maryland case just made that investment look like perfect timing.

📊 Quick Breakdown

🔎 Category📝 Details
LocationMaryland, USA
SourcePatient traveled from Guatemala
ParasiteNew World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
TreatmentRemoval of larvae + wound cleaning
First U.S. CaseConfirmed Aug 20, 2025 (CDC)
RiskSerious threat to livestock, economic losses

 Final Take

After decades of being wiped out in the U.S., the screwworm is back in the headlines—and it’s not the kind of guest you want crawling around.

For now, this is just one patient in Maryland, but scientists warn: if the parasite spreads unchecked, it could become a nightmare for American agriculture.

So, while the doctors are handling the maggots, the rest of us might just lose our appetite for steak this week. 🥩🚫


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