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Myiasis in a wounded soldier returning from Panama
Z Mehr1, N R Powers, K A Konkol
1Preventive Medicine Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234.
Journal of Medical Entomology
|July 1, 1991
Summary
A soldier evacuated from Panama had traumatic myiasis, with five Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World screwworm) larvae removed from a scalp wound. This case highlights the risk of reintroducing this parasite to the United States.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Traumatic myiasis is an infestation of live human or animal tissue by fly larvae.
- Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screwworm, is a significant veterinary and medical pest.
Observation:
- A U.S. soldier wounded in Panama in December 1989 was treated at Brooke Army Medical Center.
- Five larvae were recovered from the soldier's scalp wound and successfully reared.
- The larvae were identified as Cochliomyia hominivorax.
Findings:
- This represented the sole instance of wound myiasis among 254 evacuated servicemen.
- The case confirmed the presence of C. hominivorax in a U.S. military medical facility.
Implications:
- This incident demonstrates a potential pathway for the reintroduction of C. hominivorax into the United States.
- Surveillance and control measures are crucial to prevent the re-establishment of this parasite.
- Understanding disease transmission vectors in military settings is vital for public health.