Screwworm Confirmed in U.S., Two Human Cases in Belize

The first human case of the flesh-eating New World Screwworm has been confirmed in the United States. In Belize, more than three hundred cases have already been reported in animals. Just last week, two human infections were confirmed. The first in a twenty-one-year-old man from Benque, and another in a sixty-year-old man from Camalote Village. Minister José Mai says Belize is prepared, though elimination will require U.S. cooperation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the first U.S. case of New World screwworm was confirmed on August fourth in a patient who had recently returned from El Salvador. So far, no animal cases have been reported in the U.S. In Belize, the public is urged to stay vigilant and report any suspected cases directly to the Belize Agricultural Health Authority.