Tabasco joins Chiapas and Campeche with human infections of the worm. The first reported victim is a 76-year-old man who was treated at the Hospital de Frontera.
What was an open secret, as reported by Tabasco HOY on August 14, is now a reality: there are now humans infected with the screwworm in the state. Yesterday, Health Secretary Alejandro Calderón Alipi confirmed that a 76-year-old man, who has comorbidities and lives alone in Centla, has become the first confirmed case of screwworm myiasis, the larva of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax.
He indicated that the patient suffered a fall that caused an open wound on his head, which was not treated in a timely manner and, unfortunately, became infected. The fact was also confirmed by the state’s Undersecretary of Agricultural and Livestock Development, Joaquín Alejandro Ligonio.
According to the Health Minister, on August 8, the man (a 76-year-old man) presented himself at the Bienestar Community Hospital in Frontera, where doctors detected the presence of maggots in the wound. “He was already experiencing itching in his scalp with a sensation of movement, headache, anorexia, and fever. After conducting tests, the National Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (INDRE) confirmed that it was a screwworm,” he stated.
Calderón Alipi explained that upon admission, the patient received standard treatment for myiasis. “Thanks to timely care, his health improved. Currently, the patient is home, having completed the antibiotic treatment and with the wound completely closed and clean,” he explained. He remains under monitoring by the Centla Health Jurisdiction.
THE BULLETIN POINTS OUT TO A WOMAN
And despite being the first confirmed case, the epidemiological bulletin from the National Surveillance System, at week 33, indicates that a case of myiasis (ICD-10 code REV. B87) has been registered in Tabasco in a woman. However, the official statement does not clarify whether it is specifically the screwworm.
At this time, the Ministry of Health maintains epidemiological surveillance in the area, carrying out coordinated actions with the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Fisheries (SEDAP), with ongoing monitoring of the Tabasco cattle herd through established checkpoints.
THE TOTAL 36 HUMAN CASES
With this new confirmed case, Tabasco joins Chiapas and Campeche with human screwworm myiasis, bringing the total to 36 cases across the three states: 33 in Chiapas, two in Campeche, and one in Tabasco.
Ignoring protective measures is a factor in contagion
Transmission of the screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax to humans can occur in two ways, health experts warn. The first is through handling animals infected with worms or larvae, especially if proper hand protection measures are not used. “If there is a wound on the hand, the larva can penetrate and cause an infection,” warns Enrique Trinidad Mora, a veterinarian and cattle specialist.
The second route of transmission occurs when the fly deposits its larvae directly into an open wound or mucous membrane. This situation can result in myiasis, an infection that requires immediate medical attention to avoid serious complications. This latter form of contagion was reported in the first case in the state.
CAUSE OF DEATH
Specialist Trinidad Mora emphasized that an injury that does not receive proper care can lead to the proliferation of flies and a serious wound, putting the patient’s life at risk. “The location of the injury on the human body can determine the level of danger it poses,” Mora explained. He emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention for any wound, as infections can have serious consequences.
LIVESTOCK LEADER DEMANDS PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS
Diego Ruiz Rosique, president of the Local Livestock Association of Centro, has emphasized the need to launch an information campaign on screwworm management, highlighting that this fly not only affects animals but also humans, all of which are warm-blooded.
700,000 Cattle Enter Illegally Each Year
An alarming number of cattle enter Mexico illegally from Central America, through the borders of Tabasco and Chiapas. It is estimated that approximately 700,000 cattle cross the border each year without regulation.
Ernestino Mazariegos Zenteno, secretary of the National Confederation of Livestock Organizations (CNOG), requested that, in light of the illegal movement of cattle, the closure of the southern border between Tabasco and Chiapas should be considered.
“If it is to remain open, it is crucial that quarantine and sampling protocols be followed, as required for cattle entering the United States from Mexico,” he explained. He emphasized that the issue of illegal cattle entry has already been addressed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA), and the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA).
Source: tabascohoy
