Myiasis is infection with a fly larva, usually occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. There are several ways for flies to transmit their larvae to people. Some flies attach their eggs to mosquitoes and wait for mosquitoes to bite people.
Myiasis is an infestation of the skin by developing larvae (maggots) of a variety of fly species (myia is Greek for fly) within the arthropod order Diptera . Worldwide, the most common flies that cause the human infestation are Dermatobia hominis (human botfly) and Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly).
The larvae need to be surgically removed by a medical professional. Typically, the wound is cleaned daily after the larvae are removed. Proper hygiene of wounds is very important when treating myiasis. Sometimes medication is given, depending on the type of larva that causes the problem.
