Parasite that “eats people” is coming to the US

A Cochliomyia hominivorax It is dangerous: eats several living animals – and humans do not escape. There has been a new case report in the US, however denied.

The original name already says what comes: Cochliomyia hominivorax means that “Eat humanity”. It is a parasite that eats several living animals, such as cow, pig, deer, dog – and some humans do not escape.

Infection arises when the fabric or meat of hot -blooded animals is affected; It also affects people, although they are rarer cases. The larvae are attracted and lay the eggs in open wounds.

They rise the meat, turning small cuts into large wounds that can cause worrying damage.

70 years after this New World Screwworm have been a “target” of an attack by farmers and the US government itself (which eradicate), an account arose that the problem had returned to the country American. Namely to Missouri.

But quickly the Department of Agriculture denied This information, in a statement sent to, adding that it continues to work with international partners to lock the incursion of the parasite.

However, the Cochliomyia hominivorax It’s really coming to the USAwarn or.

There have already been cases in Panama, in animals, which have accumulated over the past three years. The larva has already started traveling north, having arrived in Central America. It’s in Mexico, having approached the US.

Wayne Cockrell, Texas farmer (who has a border with Mexico), is sure that The problem will come back. It is not “if”, it is “when.”

Or national program cannot produce sufficient sterile flies To stop the parasite’s advance, much less prevent from returning to Panama.

And from the past, they were Scary stories: Each cut, each scratch, each belly button of a newborn calf threatened to become fatal 70 years ago before eradication.

Now, the Risk of propagation is really real. Because, in Texas and Mexico, closed the factories of production of sterile male insects – which fight for females with other males, but do not reproduce.

If the parasite is spread to the US again, its “Expulsion” may take decades. A new factory, to be created, may take years – and the advances should start “tomorrow.”

And more: the medicine To treat this infection now Nor are licensed in the US. Where before there were 50 workers to watch the animals, now there are 5.

The responsible have already forgotten the subject. It is likely that they now have to recover memories – and watch, combat procedures.