Flesh-eating screwworms are not likely to spread to Louisiana, according to agriculture expert

In early August, a Maryland resident who had traveled to El Salvador was diagnosed with New World screwworm — a flesh-eating parasite — being the first human case of a flesh-eating parasite in U.S.

Although the case was an isolated incident, the infection had many wondering if the flesh-eating maggot could spread to more people.

Christine Navarre is the extension veterinarian for the LSU AgCenter, a professor in the School of Animal Sciences and jointly-appointed with the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Generally, Navarre works to get information out to cattle producers and veterinarians. Additionally, she works in collaborative research with veterinarians across the world.

Navarre started her career as a veterinarian graduating from LSU in 1990 before moving on to both private and mixe