Why in the News?
The US authorities have reported the first human case of the flesh-eating parasite, the New World screwworm.
About New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax):
- Overview: Called “man-eater” larvae in Latin; South America and the Caribbean.
- Larval Stage: Eggs hatch into maggots that burrow into wounds of warm-blooded animals (including humans) and feed on living flesh in a screw-like motion.
- Life Cycle: After feeding, larvae fall to soil, pupate, and emerge as adult Blue-grey blowfly.
- Human Infestation (Myiasis): Causes painful non-healing wounds, bleeding, foul odour, sensation of movement; may lead to sepsis or death if untreated.
- Eradication in USA: Eliminated in 1966 using Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) by mass release of sterile males.
Current Spread and Concerns:
- Recent Outbreaks: Detected in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
- Cause of Spread: Likely linked to movement of infested cattle across regions.
- Possible Weakness in SIT: Current strain of sterilized flies may be less effective than earlier strains.
- New Human Case: First travel-associated screwworm myiasis reported in the United States in 2025.
- Livestock Threat: Serious danger to cattle industry; risk of animal suffering and economic loss.
- Biosecurity Risk: Reemergence could undo decades of eradication efforts if uncontrolled.
| [UPSC 2017] Consider the following statements:
1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue. 2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
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