Health
US Reports First Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworm
The United States has confirmed its first human case of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living flesh, in a Maryland resident recently returned from El Salvador, where an outbreak is ongoing.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the patient began showing symptoms shortly after returning and was diagnosed on August 4, 2025.
“Screwworm larvae literally eat living tissue, which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening infections if not treated promptly,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. She urged travelers to seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear after visiting affected areas.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the case on August 24, 2025, emphasizing close monitoring of travel-related risks and coordination with Central American health agencies. “We are taking this very seriously and working to prevent any further spread,” said HHS spokesperson Dr. Anthony Fauci.
While screwworm infections are more common in livestock, causing severe damage and economic losses, human cases are rare but dangerous. Dr. Jose Ortega, senior USDA veterinary official, explained the larvae burrow into live tissue, creating deep wounds difficult to treat.
In response, the USDA is building a sterile fly facility in Texas and has temporarily halted cattle imports from Mexico to control the pest’s spread. Mexico is also expanding its sterile fly operations, as Panama’s current facility is insufficient for the ongoing outbreak moving north from Central America.
No animal cases have been confirmed in the US this year, but experts stress that even a single human infection highlights the need for vigilance. “Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent serious consequences, both for public health and agriculture,” Walensky added.
Health
WHO Declares Emergency As Ebola Kills 88 In Congo
Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and sore throat, and are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash, and bleeding.
• Ebola
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern”.
The outbreak, originating in eastern DRC’s Ituri province, which has seen around 246 suspected cases, involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
The variant has no approved vaccine or treatment.
Health authorities said the outbreak poses a high regional risk because infections have already been detected in Uganda, and cases linked to the outbreak have reached Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, and killed 88 people.
The WHO, however, stopped short of declaring a pandemic, saying it did not meet the necessary criteria.
The United Nations agency advised countries against closing borders or restricting trade.
Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, and sore throat, and are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, a rash, and bleeding.
Health
National Data Repository Index Numbers of patients currently on treatment for HIV in Nigeria as at May 13, 2026
Benue: 195,305
- Akwa Ibom: 158,201
- Lagos: 135,918
- Rivers: 90,055
- Nasarawa: 65,996
- FCT: 62,627
- Kaduna: 58,576
- Cross River: 57,765
- Enugu: 55,478
- Delta: 52,475
- Taraba: 51,840
- Abia: 50,038
- Imo: 47,863
- Plateau: 46,618
- Anambra: 46,602
- Adamawa: 42,074
- Kano: 41,093
- Kogi: 37,301
- Oyo: 33,133
- Niger: 33,057
- Ogun: 31,822
- Bauchi: 29,745
- Edo: 29,256
- Gombe: 28,037
- Osun: 25,018
- Borno: 24,527
- Ondo: 22,455
- Kebbi: 20,803
- Bayelsa: 19,549
- Katsina: 18,682
- Ebonyi: 15,474
- Kwara: 14,997
- Jigawa: 14,302
- Zamfara: 13,813
- Ekiti: 12,356
- Yobe: 10,716
- Sokoto: 10,511 Total: 1.70m
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Business Hub and Mega Livestock Processing Facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a high-level strategic meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in Abuja.
The Minister stated that the Ministry would work closely with ABIS Group, LPRES and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the project. He explained that the engagement followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the Minister, the training, organised under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development Platform, provided valuable insights into strengthening livestock value chains, improving market systems and promoting quality assurance mechanisms across Africa.
Leader of the ABIS delegation, Ambassador Emmanuel Usman, commended the Ministry for facilitating the group’s participation in the training programme, which brought together delegates from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya.
Also speaking, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, appreciated the Minister for supporting collaboration and inclusiveness in the livestock sector.
The General Manager of ABIS Group, Mr. Kujo Reigans, highlighted key lessons from the training, including the need for a unified quality assurance system, structured outgrower schemes and improved access to funding opportunities through the Development Bank of Nigeria.
He stated that these measures would enhance efficiency, traceability and competitiveness within Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The ABIS team also raised concerns over visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates working on the Abuja Mega Livestock Processing Facility project, calling for streamlined visa processes to ease project implementation and support the timely delivery of the agro-industrial hub in the FCT.
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