Mexico reports 602 human cases of screw-worm infestation

Mexico has reported a significant spread of human myiasis caused by the screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), with cases documented across 25 states. As of August 21, 2026, the Ministry of Health has recorded 602 total cases since the first instance was confirmed in Chiapas in April 2025. The outbreak includes 117 cases from the previous year and 485 cases in 2026, with three deaths reported in Oaxaca, Querétaro, and Yucatán.

Chiapas has recorded the highest number of cases (157), followed by Veracruz (107), Oaxaca (56), Puebla (54), and Yucatán (43). In the state of Hidalgo, 20 confirmed cases have been reported, with 60 percent of those affecting adults over the age of 60.

Epidemiological data indicates that 68 percent of cases occur in rural populations, while 32 percent are in urban areas. Approximately 58 percent of patients reported contact with animals, specifically dogs and cattle, though 42 percent reported no animal contact. The demographic most affected includes men, who represent 71 percent of cases, and individuals over 60, who account for 60 percent of the total. The average age of patients is 52, with a range spanning from 3 to 98 years old.