A rare case of travel-related New World screwworm was identified in Maryland in a patient who traveled from El Salvador, a spokesman from the US Department of Health and Human Services said.

The New World screwworm is a type of fly that can cause widespread devastation to livestock, wildlife and pets.

The first human case in the U.S. of a flesh-eating parasite was reported in Maryland. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said a case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite has been detected on Aug. 4 in a Marylander who had just returned to the U.S. after traveling to El Salvador.