The first case of a New World Screwworm infestation in a human was confirmed in the U.S., according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Travel-associated New World Screwworm was detected in a patient who returned to the U.S. from El Salvador, and was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 4, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement to CBS News on Monday.

The CDC investigated the case in coordination with Maryland's health department.

"This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States," Nixon said, adding that the risk to U.S. public health is currently "very low."

What is New World Screwworm myiasis?

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