Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Mexico records 663 human screwworm infections and eight deaths in 2026
Mexico has recorded 663 human screwworm infections in 2026 and eight deaths through October 16.
The infections are cases of myiasis, caused when fly larvae infest a person.
Veracruz has the most cases, with 124, followed by Chiapas, Puebla and Oaxaca.
From September 25 to October 16, health officials recorded 71 cases, an average of about three a day.
The deaths were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, with two each, and in Nayarit, Puebla, Querétaro and Yucatán, with one each.
Mexico confirmed its first human case in April 2025, after the screwworm pest returned to the country in November 2024.
Cases have risen sharply, from 117 human infections and no deaths in all of 2025; authorities had confirmed 780 cases overall from April 2025 through mid-October 2026.
Mexico recorded 663 human infections with screwworm so far in 2026 and eight deaths, according to national surveillance data.
The figures cover January 1 through October 16.
Veracruz had the most infections, with 124, followed by Chiapas with 81.
Authorities recorded 71 new cases between September 25 and October 16, an average of three a day.
Mexico recorded 117 human cases and no deaths in 2025.
- Who
- People infected with screwworm in Mexico; eight people died.
- What
- Mexico recorded 663 human infections and eight deaths in 2026.
- When
- January 1 through October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Mexico, with the most cases in Veracruz.
- Why
- The infections are caused by infestation with screwworm fly larvae.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Three cases of the livestock screwworm plague were reported after it returned to Mexico.
Mexico recorded its first human screwworm infestation.
Authorities confirmed 117 human cases and no deaths.
Authorities recorded 663 human cases and eight deaths.
Authorities recorded 71 human cases.
- Human infections in 2026
- 663
- Deaths in 2026
- 8
- Most affected state
- Veracruz: 124 cases
- Second-highest state
- Chiapas: 81 cases
- Cases from September 25 to October 16
- 71