WASHINGTON (WDCW) – The country's first human case of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite already wreaking havoc on cattle and driving up beef prices, has been reported in Maryland, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The announcement was first reported by Reuters and confirmed to Nexstar. In a statement, an HHS spokesperson said the patient had recently returned from El Salvador. The Maryland Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the case in early August and confirmed the diagnosis.

Texas officials warn of infectious, parasitic worms that ‘screw into flesh’

"This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affec

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