The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the death of an 86-year-old woman in Campeche, who suffered from advanced cancer and a cattle screwworm infection, a rare condition in humans known as myiasis.
According to the information released by the General Directorate of Social Communication, the patient had invasive squamous cell carcinoma that had been present for more than 10 years, in addition to systemic arterial hypertension. In May 2025, she was diagnosed with an infection by Cochliomyia hominivorax, a species responsible for causing wounds by depositing its larvae in living tissue.
The document states that the patient received timely medical attention for the myiasis and was referred for oncological treatment. However, on July 21 of this year, her family reported her death due to complications from the cancer.
The screwworm, common in livestock environments, poses a health risk to animals and, in very rare cases, to humans. Health authorities recommend maintaining hygiene measures and seeking immediate medical attention for infected wounds in rural areas.
Source: mimorelia
