For the first time, American doctors have confirmed a human case of infestation with the worm (Cochliomyia Hominivorax), a parasite capable of feeding on living tissue. Romanian epidemiologists have talked about how big the risk of reaching our country is and how we can protect ourselves.
The disease is transmitted by a particular type of shutterstock photo flies
The first confirmed patient is a woman in Maryland, who contracted the parasite after a trip to Central America. US authorities have treated the case and transmitted that the risk of spread is low, but concerns persist.
At the same time, this type of infestation has generated huge economic losses for zootechnics in the past. In Texas, experts have estimated that a parasite reinvision could cause losses of up to $ 1.8 billion in the cattle sector, taking into account mortality, treatments and commercial restrictions.
The Department of Agriculture of the United States immediately entered the alert and strengthened supervision of Mexico and Central America.
For Romania, a state with tradition in cattle growth and important exports of live animals, there is an inevitable question: could this parasite come here?
How much do the bearing flies live
Epidemiologist Dr. Tatiana Dejoianu, a specialist doctor within the Diagnostic and Treatment Center “Dr. Victor Babeș”, considers the appearance of this parasite in both our country and in Europe:
“Hard to believe to reach us in the country because those flies live only in those areas and live only a few days. They would not have time to cross the ocean and reach the European side. We find them in South America, Central America and, from there, sporadically in the United States.”,
she said for the truth.
The major risk is, therefore, related to international trade in animal products.
However, the specialist emphasizes that the control system should be sufficient:
“The import of meat, if it comes from the respective areas, must be well controlled by the sanitary-veterinary authorities of each country. We would not have much to bring the parasite there by import.”
Precautions for consumers
Against the background of globalization and trade, Dr. Dejoianu draws attention to food hygiene and choosing safe sources:
“In general, the consumption of raw meat, not thermally used, is not recommended. Many other things can be transmitted, we also have new parasites, known and verify by veterinarians to be commercialized. Considering globalization and imports, meat must always be verified, taken from safe sources.”warns the epidemiologist.
It recommends, as far as possible, the consumption of local foods: fresh meat, local fruits and vegetables, fish from safe sources. The risk of exposure, along with travel although Romania is not directly exposed, the danger exists for those traveling in the affected areas (Central America, South America, Southern US).
There, personal hygiene rules become essential:
“The meat, consumed only thermally prepared. There it would be a risk. (…) I would not recommend the beef in the blood, not even in controlled locations. At the appearance of any wound: scratch, sting, it must be disinfected and bandaged. We do not leave the wounds open, because we can be infected. And I can transmit various diseases, ”says Tatiana Dejoianu.
The way of transmitting, effects and treatment
The worm-screw attacks the animals in particular, but it has been shown that it can go to humans.
“By wounds in the skin: if it is an open, theoretically, the parasite can be passed to humans and produce the same lesions as animals: on the one hand on the surface of the skin, on the other, that parasite multiplies, those larvae multiply and attack the internal organs.”explains Tatiana Dejoianu.
Human cases, however, are extremely rare and almost always related to travelers in endemic areas:
“So far there have been no cases of transmission to humans, except accidentally, very rarely and only in the respective areas. For now it has not arrived in the European area and we hope it does not reach”said the specialist.
Furthermore, there is no discussed in the USA: an epidemic:
“We are not talking about an epidemic in the United States, we are not talking about a number of cases, but about the appearance of a case that should remain unique or as few.”continued Dejoianu.
Regarding the treatment, the medical experience is reduced, but neither the number of cases raises an alarm signal.
“So far, more discussed treatment in animals has been more discussed, because in humans it was not the case. First of all, it must be treated locally. There are specific antiparasitic drugs that are used, but which have many side effects. The cases in humans are extremely unlikely to appear ”, Dejoianu pointed out.
What chances would affect the animals in Romania
The risk for Romanian farms is reduced, says the doctor, but not non -existent.
“I do not see, at this moment, how that parasite would reach the North America area to us.Tatiana Dejoianu tells us.
The specialist also draws attention to pets as well as “The parasite can also affect the pets, and further, it is transmissible to the masters.”
What is the worm-screw and how it is transmitted
The screw-worm (cochliomyia hominivorax) is the larva of a parasitic fly that lays its eggs on open wounds, cuts or mucous membranes.
Once hatched, the larvae begin to consume the living tissue of the host, causing severe and painful lesions. Infestions are especially encountered in animals (cattle, pigs, dogs, cats), but in rare conditions, people can also affect.
The transmission takes place directly, by contacting the flies with an open wound, not by consuming contaminated meat. Studies show that larvae need live tissue to be able to survive.
In people, the risk occurs especially for those traveling in endemic areas (Central America, South America), where the insect is present.
Romania and vulnerability by trade
Romania does not directly import live animals from the US, but it is part of an integrated European market, with constant flows of trade with animals and meat. In June 2024, according to INS data, the total cattle were 1.85 million heads, a decrease of almost 2% compared to 2023.
However, the maners (all the females for reproduction: milk, buffalo and reproductive cows) increased (+4,700 heads), a sign that the sector is trying to stabilize.
The screw worm remains, for the moment, a problem of central and south America. Romania is not directly exposed, however, with the increase of travel and trade, the vigilance remains essential. A parasite outbreak that attacks animals would certainly represent both a sanitary and economic and commercial problem.
