HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Treated for Flesh-Eating Screwworm Parasite

August 25 , 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy is recovering after being treated for an unusual parasitic infection caused by the New World screwworm fly, officials confirmed Sunday.

According to a statement released by the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy sought medical care late last week after developing unusual symptoms following a recent trip to southern Texas, where a small outbreak of screwworm infestations has been reported among livestock. Physicians identified the culprit as Cochliomyia hominivorax, also known as the flesh-eating screwworm parasite.

The screwworm fly, which had once been eradicated from the United States through an aggressive eradication program decades ago, recently reemerged in isolated pockets along the U.S.–Mexico border, raising concern among veterinarians and public health authorities. The larvae of the parasite burrow into the skin of warm-blooded animals, feeding on living tissue if not treated promptly.

Kennedy underwent a specialized course of treatment that included removal of the larvae and administration of targeted medication. Medical officials emphasized that he received care quickly and is expected to make a full recovery. “Secretary Kennedy responded well to treatment, and at no point was his life in danger,” said Dr. Alice Fernandez, spokesperson for the National Institutes of Health.

The incident has drawn attention to broader concerns over the reappearance of animal and insect diseases once thought controlled in the U.S. “This case highlights how fragile our biosecurity safeguards can be,” said Dr. Michael Cardenas, a parasitologist at Texas A&M University. “Even a single human case reminds us that vigilance is key.”

Kennedy, who has maintained a busy schedule of public appearances focused on health innovation, will take several days of rest before resuming his duties. In a brief written statement, he thanked his medical team and urged the public not to panic. “I am grateful for the excellent care I received and I encourage Americans to remain attentive to public health advisories, but not alarmed,” he wrote.

Public health authorities stressed that the risk of screwworm to the general U.S. population remains low. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has dispatched field teams to monitor livestock in affected areas and is reinforcing border inspection measures to prevent further spread.

The screwworm parasite, once a major threat to livestock in the U.S., was officially eradicated in 1982, protecting an estimated billion dollars annually in agricultural losses. Its reappearance in Texas—even in limited cases—is already sparking discussions in Washington on the need for renewed investment in biosecurity and vector control programs.

Olivia Asher