The U.S. confirms its first human case of New World screwworm. What is it?

NPR
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New World screwworm larva, like the one pictured, will hatch and feed on the flesh of living animals, typically cattle. Cases in humans are rare but can be fatal.

U.S. officials confirmed a case of the flesh-eating parasite in a person who traveled from El Salvador. Screwworm typically affects cattle in South America, but has spread north in recent years.

(Image credit: AP)

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