Tumbu Fly Infection and other Myiasis

Tumbu fly infection and other myiasis

Myiasis is infestation of human tissue by dipterous fly larvae (maggots). In emergency practice the most relevant forms are furuncular (cutaneous) myiasis, wound myiasis and infestation of specialised sites (ocular, aural, nasal, genital, gastrointestinal).

Typical presentations are painful, erythematous nodules with a central punctum or visible maggots in a wound-most commonly encountered in travellers from endemic areas, migrants, or patients with neglected or soiled wounds.

Epidemiology and key species

• Furuncular myiasis agents of most clinical relevance include:
• Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly) - endemic in sub‑Saharan Africa; eggs are deposited on contaminated soil or clothing and larvae penetrate skin, maturing in a furuncle over about 1-2 weeks.
• Dermatobia hominis (human botfly) - found in Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean; larvae usually reach the skin via a vector (biting insects) and cause similar furuncular lesions.
• Wound myiasis occurs when flies lay eggs in pre‑existing, soiled or necrotic wounds; multiple fly species can be involved.
• Myiasis is uncommon in the UK but should be considered in returning travellers or migrants and in patients with neglected wounds.
• Myiasis is not routinely statutorily notifiable in the UK; seek local UKHSA/Health Protection Team (HPT) advice for unusual imported cases or clusters (see GOV.UK NOIDs guidance).

Pathogenesis (clinical relevance)

• Furuncular myiasis: eggs or larvae reach skin, penetrate...