First human case of flesh-eating screwworm parasite detected in the U.S.

The first human case of the flesh-eating parasite "New World screwworm "has been detected in the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services said early Monday.

The case, involving a person who had recently traveled to El Salvador, was confirmed to be screwworm by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Health Department on Aug. 4.

The Maryland Health Department said in a statement Monday that the resident has recovered "from the infection, and the investigation confirmed there is no indication of transmission to any other individuals or animals."

"This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States," HHS spokesperson Emily G. Hilliard said in a statement.

"The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low," he said.

The parasite — the larva of the New World screwworm fly — can devastate cattle herds and is rife in parts of Central America and Mexico. It can destroy wildlife and even kill household pets.