Health authorities in Oaxaca confirmed three new cases of human myiasis caused by the screwworm, bringing the state’s total to six patients between November 2025 and January 2026. This makes Oaxaca the third state with the highest number of cases in the country, along with Quintana Roo.
According to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System, the cases confirmed during the second week of the year were located in the municipalities of Huautla de Jiménez, in the Sierra de Flores Magón region, as well as in San Pedro Tututepec and San Pedro Mixtepec, on the Oaxacan coast.
Health authorities detected three new cases of screwworm myiasis in Oaxaca, which now has a total of six patients (Photo: Twitter)
The health sector reported that in Huautla de Jiménez, an 83-year-old woman was treated after larvae were detected in both of her lower limbs. The patient was hospitalized due to diabetes mellitus, altered mental status, and diseases that cause skin ulcers—factors that increase the risk of this type of infestation.
In San Pedro Mixtepec, a 49-year-old woman was confirmed to have larvae in her nose, eye, and mouth. She was also transferred to a hospital for specialized care. Authorities specified that this patient has no comorbidities.
The third case is a 60-year-old man, a resident of San Pedro Tututepec, who presented with infestation in his left lower limb. Unlike the previous cases, he received outpatient treatment. The patient suffers from diseases that cause skin ulcers, which facilitated the infestation.
Health authorities detected three new cases of screwworm myiasis in Oaxaca, bringing the total to six patients (Photo: Twitter).
With these six confirmed cases, Oaxaca ranks as the third state with the most cases of screwworm myiasis in the country. The Federal Ministry of Health indicated that Chiapas leads the list with 98 accumulated cases, followed by Yucatán with 14 patients.
Specialists have pointed out that more than 90 percent of people affected by screwworm myiasis have some comorbidity, which increases their vulnerability to this parasitic disease.
Health authorities have detected three new cases of screwworm myiasis in Oaxaca, bringing the total number of cases to six (Photo: Twitter).
On January 17, state authorities confirmed the third case in the state, involving a 23-year-old man from Santo Tomás Tamazulápam, in the Sierra Sur region, who was treated at the “Aurelio Valdivieso” Civil Hospital on December 17.
Previously, on December 4, the first two cases in Oaxaca had been documented, located in San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, in the Papaloapan Basin, and in Guadalupe Etla, in the Central Valleys region.
Health authorities are maintaining active epidemiological surveillance and urged the public to take extra hygiene precautions, especially those with open wounds or chronic illnesses.
Source: periodicocorreo
