Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 2:34 pm CST.
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Mexico’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the country’s first recorded human death caused by the New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue. The victim, an 86-year-old woman from Candelaria, Campeche, had been hospitalized in May with skin lesions complicated by myiasis — the infestation of tissue by fly larvae — and later succumbed to squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer exacerbated by the infestation.
Rising Cases and Regional Impact
According to Mexico’s National Epidemiological Bulletin, 33 human cases of screwworm-related myiasis have been confirmed nationwide, with Chiapas — bordering Guatemala — accounting for 94% of infections. Tapachula, the second-largest city in Chiapas and closest to the Guatemalan border, remains the most affected municipality. Campeche has reported two cases, including the fatality. The majority of patients are male (63.6%), ranging in age from 17 to 87, and many suffer from underlying conditions such as diabetes, HIV, venous insufficiency, and cancer.
Symptoms and Transmission
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that screwworm infestations in humans can cause:
- Painful, foul-smelling skin lesions
- Visible larvae in wounds or natural orifices
- Non-healing ulcers and bleeding
- Sensory disturbances and systemic complications
The screwworm fly lays eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes. Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into living tissue, feeding aggressively and causing severe damage. In livestock, untreated infestations are often fatal.
Public Health Response
Mexico’s Ministry of Health has issued alerts to medical personnel and rural communities, urging vigilance in wound care and hygiene. The government is intensifying surveillance in border regions, particularly in Campeche and Chiapas, to prevent further spread. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has been notified and commended Mexico’s swift response.
Regional Concern for Belize and Beyond
The infestation has now reached every country in the region, prompting heightened surveillance across Central America and the Caribbean. Even the United States has suspended cattle imports from Mexico due to the screwworm’s northward advance, with cases reported within 370 miles of the Texas border. The USDA has deployed aircraft to release sterile male flies in Mexico, a proven method to suppress the pest’s reproduction.
In Belize, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise have ramped up monitoring and outreach. While Belize has not yet received sterile flies, both entities are actively working to secure them and reinforce containment strategies. The country remains vigilant, especially in southern districts near Guatemala, where early cases have emerged.
A Cautionary Tale
Though Mexico had declared screwworm eradicated in 1991 through sterile insect techniques, this case shows the parasite’s ability to re-emerge under favourable conditions. Experts warn that climate shifts, wildlife movement, and gaps in veterinary oversight could facilitate the NWS’ spread.
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Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 2:34 pm CST. By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Mexico’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the country’s first recorded human death caused by
The post Mexico confirms 1st human death from New World Screwworm infestation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
