San José/Prensa Latina
The Costa Rican Ministry of Health confirmed today the first case of screwworm in humans, a type of parasitic insect that mainly affects cattle, horses and dogs.
A statement from the institution highlights that the sample was taken from a man from the Altamira de Pavones area, who visited the Ciudad Neilly hospital due to discomfort after suffering a fall.
This sample was sent to the laboratory, where the presence of the larva was confirmed, the entity explained, highlighting that in these circumstances, authorities from the Golfito Governing Area followed up to determine if there are more cases in this regard.
In addition, the Ministry of Health and the National Animal Health Service (Senasa) are working on an action protocol to address these cases and begin a sweep in the area.
Among the steps to follow in the protocol, once a case of screwworm is suspected, the sample is taken, which is transferred to Senasa and if the result is positive, field coordination is carried out between the entities involved. .
Cattle screwworm, commonly known as cattle screwworm, is a disease caused by the larva of the fly, which lays its eggs in the skin of mammals, including humans.
The larvae then hatch and develop under the skin, causing a condition known as cutaneous myiasis.
Symptoms include the presence of a painful lump on the skin, which may secrete fluid.
As the larva grows, it may be visible under the skin and can often be felt moving. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the larva, followed by local care to prevent infection.
If any person considers they have an infection of this type, they are recommended to visit a medical center to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, highlights the health entity.
To date, the confirmed patient is hospitalized at the Golfito Hospital.
In July 2023, animal health authorities in Costa Rica warned about the presence of the screwworm in that country and in neighboring Panama.
Detected in a dog that lives in the canton (municipality) of Corredores, in the western province of Puntarenas, Senasa specialists explained that in Costa Rica the screwworm was eradicated since 2000, so the case discovered was a reintroduction of the disease to the national territory.
#Costa #Rica #reports #case #screwworm #humans
