22/09/2025
🚨 TRAVEL HEALTH ALERT: Screwworm Outbreak Spreads Beyond Mexico
The screwworm outbreak in southern Mexico has reached over 111,000 animals infested and 720 human cases reported across the region (Travel and Tour World, September 2025). But here's what many travellers don't realise: myiasis occurs across Central America, parts of South America, and sub-Saharan Africa year-round.
What is myiasis?
It's when fly larvae (maggots) infest and feed on living human tissue.
Why this matters for your travel plans: Unlike typical insect bites, these flesh-eating screwworm larvae burrow into skin through small wounds, cuts, or even insect bites. The first travel-associated human case in the US has been confirmed in a Maryland resident returning from El Salvador (HHS, August 2025).
Why it's often missed:
Many healthcare professionals mistake early myiasis for infected wounds or abscesses. Symptoms include persistent wound pain, unusual discharge, and the sensation of movement under the skin. If you develop these symptoms after returning from affected areas, specifically mention myiasis to your doctor.
How to protect yourself:
• Keep all cuts and wounds covered with waterproof dressings
• Use DEET-based repellents on exposed skin
• Avoid areas with livestock and decomposing organic matter
• Sleep under bed nets in rural areas
• Inspect clothing and shoes before wearing
How Healthcare professionals would remove the larvae:
While the larvae is living under the skin, it uses the portal to receive oxygen and breathe. Healthcare professionals would place a barrier ointment such as Vaseline or any petroleum jelly to starve the larvae of oxygen and force it to leave the skin via the portal. An example of this is shown in the image where Dr Ravi Gowda extracts a Botfly Larvae from one of our travellers who had recently travelled to South America. Dr Gowda starved the larvae of oxygen and then removed it using forceps.
Our expertise makes the difference:
At Health Klinix, we provide comprehensive pre-travel risk assessments specific to your destinations. Our travel medicine consultants understand regional disease patterns that general practitioners often miss. We'll ensure you have the right vaccinations, medications, and preventive strategies for your journey.
Don't let preventable diseases derail your adventures. Book your pre-travel consultation today.
🔗 healthklinix.co.uk | Expert travel health advice from infectious disease specialists
