A flesh-eating parasite has infected a person from the US in a rare and concerning event.

The case involved a woman in the state of Maryland, who had recently returned from Central America, where she was likely exposed to the New World screwworm fly ( Cochliomyia hominivorax ).

The patient has thankfully recovered, and the US Department of Health and Human Services has assured the public that the risk of further human spread is " very low ".

That said, the parasite is worming its way northward, and could pose a big threat to US food security.

Related: Flesh-Eating Fly Invasion Could Cause Devastation Across America

Screwworm infections are caused by the larvae of screwworm flies, which look very similar to house flies. The insects typically lay their maggots in open wounds

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