Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the first human case of a flesh-eating parasite in the U.S.

The patient, a Maryland resident, had recently returned from travel to El Salvador and was found to be infected with New World screwworm, an HHS spokesperson told ABC News.

It comes amid an outbreak of the parasite among livestock in Mexico and countries across Central America.

Here's what you need to know about the infestation, including how it spreads, what the signs are and how it can be treated.

What is New World screwworm?

New World screwworm (NWS) is a species of parasitic fly that feeds on live tissue and can cause myiasis, which is an infestation of larvae, or maggots.

"New World screwworm kind of gets its name because these are little par

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