Should Michigan Be Worried About Flesh-Eating Parasites?

I keep hearing about these so-called flesh-eating parasites, and I started wondering… is this really something we should be concerned about?

Some media outlets make it sound like we’re one step away from a horror movie.

So what’s actually going on?

See Also: New Michigan Bill Wants You to Stay 25 Feet Away From Police

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Are Flesh-Eating Screwworms in Michigan?

According to the CDC, Michigan is keeping a close eye on something called the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae can burrow into the living tissue of animals and, in rare cases, humans.

Before you panic and start boarding up your windows, here’s the good news: there are currently no confirmed cases in Michigan.

CDC

What Is the New World Screwworm?

The New World screwworm is a fly that lays eggs in open wounds, even small ones like scratches or bug bites.

Once those eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into living tissue and feed on flesh, causing wounds to get worse instead of healing.

Yeah…it’s every bit as nasty as it sounds.

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Can Humans Get Screwworm?

Unfortunately, yes.

While screwworm mostly affects livestock and other animals, humans can also become infected. Cases in the United States are rare and usually involve people who traveled to affected areas like Mexico, Central America, or South America.

Should Michigan Residents Worry About Flesh-Eating Screwworms?

For most people in Michigan, probably not. Some of the coverage makes this sound a lot scarier than it actually is.

Right now, the biggest concern is preventing infected animals from entering the state and spreading the parasite to livestock or wildlife.

So, unless you’re traveling to affected areas or working closely with animals, this probably isn’t something keeping you up at night.