In six departments of Guatemala, the Ministry of Health has reported cases of BARRENOR GUARD OF THE CATHING IN HUMANS. From May 6 to June 16, 16 people infested with fly larvae have been identified Cochliomyia hominivoraxexclusive species of the American continent.
The first person with cutaneous myiasis – parasitic information – caused by insect larvae was located in Chiquimula, and until this Monday five other cases have been added. Jutiapa also concentrates six; In Suchitepéquez, Santa Rosa, Jalapa and Quiché one has been identified in each department.
The doctor Edgar Santos, head of the Directorate of Epidemiology and Risk Management of the Ministry of Health, indicates that the cases have been detected in areas linked to livestock farms or horsepower sites. Patients come from rural and peri -urban communities from the aforementioned departments.
For four decades, the presence of the fly was not reported Cochliomyia hominivorax In the region. It was in 2023 when infestation began to be recorded in cattle, and in April this year the first case in humans was detected in Mexico. That was the trigger, because people are currently reported in Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Human risk
The problem originates from a fly that spawns in the live tissue or in open wounds of hot blood animals, commonly in cattle, but can also affect humans. Insect larvae bare or drill healthy guest fabrics, and The lesion can be made larger and deep as these organisms be the living tissue.
People with sores or open wounds are at risk, or those with recent surgeries, since these injuries attract flies.
The first case reported in Guatemala was that of an 86 -year -old person with diabetes. The victim suffered a blow to the head caused by a fall. The wound was exposed, and there the insect spawned. The man lived alone, which made it difficult to receive immediate attention.
The situation of the three -year -old patient was different. The girl had an arm injury, caused by the bite of an insect. When scratching, he generated a skin wound, which was used by the fly to deposit his eggs.
Epidemiologist Kevin Martínez-Folgar explains that The worm is not transmitted from person to person. However, unclean injuries can attract flies. The problem is aggravated because the lack of hygiene is associated with conditions of poverty – as the lack of safe water – and also due to the low coverage of the health system, which delays medical care until the wound is already infected.
Santos indicates that Flies can also deposit their eggs in cavities with mucous membraneslike mouth or nose, although this has not happened in Guatemala. This type of infestation represents a risk for people with cerebral palsy, who remain motionless for long periods or living in beggar conditions.
One of the first cases reported in Costa Rica was that of an adult woman with cerebral palsy, who was detected the parasite in his mouth. Infestation eaten the gums and cheeks. The patient died due to an overy of the wounds.
“The worm will not kill people. It has no capacity to cross bones or reach the brain or organs, but infections caused by open wounds and exposed to the environment can cause death.”
Edgar Santos, Head of the Directorate of Epidemiology and Risk Management of the Ministry of Health
He adds that people with diabetes have complications with wounds and, being infested with the boreride of cattle, this consumes the tissue into the body. The infection can advance to deeper areas, and bacteria could reach the blood, which can trigger a sepsis.
Cases in diabetic people represent a high risk, since associated neuropathy may prevent them from perceiving the presence of larvae in wounds. “It is important that family members are pending their elders and consult medical staff as soon as any injury, although many times do not feel the injury,” says Martínez-Folgar.
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Accidental guest
When the fly deposits its eggs, they hatch between two and four days later. However, Environmental conditions such as high temperatures can shorten that period. In the first stage, the larvae are tiny and, as they eaten the guest fabric, grow. In five or six days they emerge to the surface of the wound, they fall to the ground, they are buried and, after two or three days, emerge as flies. Thus, the cycle is repeated.
Symptoms in infested people include redness around the wound, a feeling that something moves through the body, pain – since they are several larvae in the same injury – fever if there is infection and bleeding.
Most cases registered in the country have been treated in hospitals. Depending on the depth of worms, it is necessary to make an incision with a scalpel to extract them and clean the wound. The patient is administered antibiotic. LA recovery can take about five days.
Santos indicates that the boreride worm does not represent a public health problem such as dengue, since these are sporadic cases: Humans are accidental guests of this fly, which is oriented to infest hot blood such as cows, horses, even chickens, chickens, dogs and cats.
The Ministry of Health keeps the population about myiasis in humans, so there is greater awareness about risks. This has motivated an increase in consultations with any suspicion. ANDThe weekly case detection rhythm could range between four and sixaccording to the propagation of the insect, Santos adds.
In addition, coordination is maintained with the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, and of Environment, to avoid the proliferation of the fly. Health recommends adequately covering any wound, maintaining personal and home hygiene, protecting in rural environments and going to the closest health center in the face of any suspicious injury.
Santos adds that Repellents are not effective in moving the flies; Therefore, you must try to keep them away from the houses.