"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," a spokesperson for the U.S. Health and Human Services told Chron.

The parasite — the larva of the new world screwworm fly — can devastate cattle herds and is rife in parts of Central America.

The New World screwworm case is the first reported U.S. case​ tied to travel to a country with a current outbreak.