NEW YORK (PIX11) – New Yorkers who have traveled to South America, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic may have visited areas where a parasite could cause a New World screwworm infestation.

A current outbreak is affecting countries spanning from Panama to southern Mexico, according to New York officials.

About the New World Screwworm

The New World screwworm (NWS) is a flesh-eating parasite where fly larvae (maggots) infest and feed on living tissue.

The NWS infestation

A New World screwworm (NWS) infestation happens when fly larvae infest the tissue of warm-blooded animals and people. Screwworm flies are attracted to and lay eggs in open wounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Although NWS is typically found in Central and South American countries and those in the C

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