Entomophobia is the fear of insects, and this fly could only worsen this fear. The flesh-eating fly, known as the New World Screwworm (NWS) fly has recently made its debut in Mexico, where several people have been reportedly diagnosed with the maggots of the NWS burrowing into their skin.

According to the CDC, the NWS lays its eggs in open wounds, and body openings such as ears, mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals. After the eggs hatch, they form into parasitic maggots that burrow deep into the skin, and feed on flesh or tissue. The risk of contracting NWS severely depends on where you are, if someone is located in an area where NWS is present, and has an open wound, they need to be cautious, and protect said wound. 

While Mexico has recently had an outbreak of the fly, because of the migration from central america in 2024. Thankfully, no cases have been reported in the United States as of April 2026. In recent years however, according to the CDC, a case was discovered just 90 miles away from the US border.

The NWS did make it close to the US, but as long as people take precautions, nobody needs to worry.