First U.S. human case in decades raises alarm in NJ over screwworms Erin Vogt Published: August 28, 2025 ( inset) New World screw-worm flies often go after cattle (Ramdan Fatoni Getty Stock/Canva, Townsquare Media Illustration)

A disturbing species of parasitic fly has been creeping north, after being declared eradicated decades ago in the U.S.

New World Screwworm , while still in their larval stage, have the ability to eat through live tissue.

If that sounds horrifying to any non-scientist, it is indeed very unusual, according to Rutgers University Entomology Chair Dina Fonseca.

Most flies are associated with either excrement (poop) or decomposing tissue.

Myiasis is the official term for such a parasitic infestation of fly larvae in living tissue.

"I tell my students, whatev

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