Mexico City — Mexico is facing a rapid outbreak of a flesh-eating parasite that has infected more than 5,000 animals, with the disease now spreading northward and reaching the United States.
Official data show that as of August 17, 5,086 infections have been detected in livestock and other animals—up 53 percent from July. Authorities say 649 active cases remain.
Neil Wilkins, CEO of the East Foundation, which works on livestock conservation, called the rise “deeply concerning,” warning that the surge in just one month shows the outbreak is not under control.
The majority of infections have been found in cattle, though cases have also appeared in dogs, horses, and sheep. The parasite, known as the screw-worm, feeds on the flesh of warm-blooded animals and poses risks to both grazing land and wildlife.
The outbreak began in Central America in 2023 and has since spread into Mexico. U.S. cattle producers fear major losses if it reaches Texas, the country’s largest livestock-producing state, estimating potential damage at $1.8 billion.
Female screw-worm flies lay eggs in animal wounds, where larvae hatch and consume live tissue. Untreated infections can be fatal.
The parasite has also been detected in humans in the U.S. for the first time. The Maryland Department of Health confirmed one case involving a traveler returning from El Salvador, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified another case in a Maryland resident who had visited Guatemala.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will send a delegation to Mexico within two weeks to assess containment efforts and ensure the outbreak does not spread further north.
