No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsHealthExperts Warn of Growing Screwworm Threat in Costa Rica

Experts Warn of Growing Screwworm Threat in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has faced an increasing number of cases of Cochliomyia hominivorax, popularly known as the screwworm, a pest that affects both animals and humans and can be deadly.

Information from the Ministry of Health indicates that, as of June 26, eleven human cases have been reported, and two people have died due to complications. Most cases are concentrated in rural areas, where exposure to infected animals and people is higher.

Dr. Adriana Troyo, a specialist in medical entomology at the Faculty of Microbiology of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), explained that one reason for the danger of Cochliomyia hominivorax is its ability to feed on living tissue.

The expert said that the preferred place for adult flies to lay their eggs is in open wounds of animals and humans, where the larvae then begin to feed. Flies can also lay eggs in body cavities such as the mouth and nose, where there are odors or secretions.

In a short time (approximately six to eight days), the infestation can cause serious damage and, in some cases, even death if the infestation is not treated in time.

Dr. Olger Calderón, also a medical entomologist at UCR, stated that this infestation caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax generates a condition known as myiasis. Myiasis is a parasitic disease produced by fly larvae that develop in living vertebrate tissues.

“Cochliomyia hominivorax lesions present as maggots. This type of myiasis is also typified as obligate myiasis, where the larvae are obligate parasites and always depend on a living organism to be able to carry out this larval period,” he noted.

SENASA indicated that, although the screwworm is currently very common in South American countries such as Uruguay, northern Chile, and Argentina, Costa Rica had been declared free of this harmful fly since 2000.

In 23 years, the country had not had any cases of these larvae. However, the panorama has changed, and specialists said humans must learn to live with this fly again.

“This fly will not be eliminated in months; it will take years if we manage to do it again. So, we have to learn to live with it, as well as with the other flies that are capable of producing myiasis,” Dr. Troyo commented.

Trending Now

El Salvador Retries Environmentalists Over 1989 Wartime Killing

A new trial against five Salvadoran environmentalists, accused of murdering a woman in 1989 during the civil war, will take place on Tuesday, announced...

Panama Farmer Receives Land Title After 60-Year Wait at Age 109

A 109-year-old Panamanian farmer has received the land title for the property where he lives and works—six decades after first requesting it from the...

Can Costa Rica’s Blue Zone Preserve Its Longevity Legacy?

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is recognized worldwide as one of the five blue zones, where people live beyond the age of 90...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Keylor Navas Leads Pumas to Victory in His Liga MX Debut

Keylor Navas kicked off his Mexican league journey with Pumas UNAM in style, leading the team to a 2–0 win over Querétaro at Estadio...

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Drowning in Costa Rica Ruled Accidental

The death of American actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has been confirmed as accidental drowning, according to Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). Warner, 54, was...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica