First human case of flesh-eating parasite is found in US - billions of flies will be dumped on entire state to battle it

A FLESH-EATING freeloader has found its way into the United States.

A rare human case of the parasite was found in Maryland after the person had traveled to El Salvador, according to officials.

New World screwworms are an infection of fly larvae, otherwise known as maggots , located inside human tissue.

The parasite has been known to have catastrophic effects on livestock numbers, but can affect all warm-blooded animals.

Maryland 's Department of Health said that the patient had recovered, and, after an investigation, found no transmission.

"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," Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Health and Human