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Experts: Flesh-eating screwworm parasite

Image by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Published: 8 April 2025

The flesh-eating screwworm parasite — whose larvae feed on animals and, in rare cases, humans — into Central America and Mexico, prompting Costa Rica to . The parasite has historically been confined to parts of South America and the Caribbean.

The following experts from ɬÀï·¬ are available to provide context on how this parasite behaves, how rare human infections are and what Canadian travellers should know.

Michael Libman, MD, is a Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and member of the Centre for Tropical Diseases.

michael.libman [at] mcgill.ca () (English, French)

Brian Ward, MD, is a Full Professor in the Department of Medicine and Co-Director of the Vaccine Study Centre at the ɬÀï·¬ Health Centre.

brian.ward [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)

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