The Health Secretary of Mexico confirmed last Friday the first case of myiasis caused by a botfly in a 77-year-old woman in the state of Chiapas, in the southwest of the country. The patient is a resident of the municipality of Acacoyagua and is under medical supervision at the Ciudad Salud High Specialty Hospital in Tapachula, where she is receiving treatment with an antibiotic regimen.
The botfly, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is known to affect livestock, but can occasionally attack humans. So far, no other cases in humans have been identified in Mexico. This parasitic disease occurs when the larvae of the botfly feed on the living tissue of mammals, causing severe lesions that can lead to loss of organ function and even death in severe cases.
Treatment for myiasis caused by the botfly generally involves the surgical extraction of the larva, followed by local care to prevent infection. Common symptoms include fever, depression, loss of appetite, and skin wounds. The Health Secretary has initiated actions to protect the population, including training on epidemiological surveillance and prevention measures in collaboration with Senasica and the Ministry of Agriculture.
In the words of the health authority: "Immediate actions have been implemented to protect the population through training on epidemiological surveillance and prevention and control of the disease." It is essential to prevent and detect such cases in a timely manner to avoid serious complications in people's health.
