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.

An adult New World screwworm fly sits at rest in this undated photo. Denise Bonilla/U.S. Department of Agriculture via AP

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 m

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