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Adrián Rodríguez, a Cuban migrant who left in the migrant caravan and became infected with a wound from the screw-worm, requested assistance from President Claudia Sheinbaum to reach Mexico City.
The Cuban, infected with myiasis, a disease caused by the screw-worm fly, is 27 years old and the father of two minors aged six years and one year and five months, reported El Universal.
Rodríguez left his hometown of Artemisa to seek a better life in Mexico that would allow him to help his family, the information specifies.
He was hospitalized in the Chiapas municipality of Pijijiapan, where the caravan is currently located.
“ I thought I was born to die, the wound was hurting me a lot and a friend offered to take care of it, but when he checked it, he told me it had maggots, that a fly had laid eggs in it,” the Cuban told El Universal.
Adrián set off with the caravan 10 days ago after working intermittently for two months at a car wash in Tapachula, earning a daily wage of 150 pesos (about 8 dollars).
This Cuban wants to regularize his status to access a better-paying salary and thus be able to help his family on the island.
Yesterday, the man told La Jornada that as he was passing through the municipality of Mapastepec, he felt a lump in his calf but didn’t think much of it.
A few days later, he noticed that the grain had turned into a wound and there were worms in it, so his companions assisted him with disinfecting the injury.
However, when he arrived in Pijijiapan, he fainted and was taken to the local hospital.
According to El País, the botfly larva causes myiasis in humans, a parasite that feeds on living tissue.
Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, bad odor, bleeding, and a feeling of movement within the wounds.
In severe cases, it can lead to bacterial infections, fever, damage to vital organs, and even death.
This worm, which primarily affects livestock, has raised alarms in Mexico due to the increase in infections in recent weeks.
Migrant caravan
The migrant caravan, initially made up of over 1,000 people from Cuba, Venezuela, Honduras, Haiti, and other countries, departed from Tapachula on October 1 with the aim of reaching Mexico City and urging authorities to obtain residence or asylum permits.
Many of the migrants have stated that they are not seeking to reach the United States, but rather to remain legally in Mexico.
Corruption has been reported in the offices of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (Comar) and the INM, as well as delays and arbitrary refusals of their applications.
The reaction from the Mexican population has been alarming for migrants. This week, a large group of Mexicans took to the streets in Mexico City to demand the immediate deportation of the Cuban and Central American migrants who make up the caravan.
Diario del Sur reported this Saturday that due to arrests and the harsh conditions faced during the march, the caravan had been reduced by half.
The migrants from the caravan remain in the Chiapas municipality of Pijijiapan, resting and assessing the next steps to take.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of Cuban Migrants in Mexico and the Borer Worm
What is the burrowing worm and how does it affect humans?
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in open wounds of animals or humans. Upon hatching, the larvae consume living flesh, leading to infections that can be fatal. In humans, symptoms include intense pain, swelling, foul odor, and, in severe cases, damage to vital organs and even death.
What is the current situation of Cuban migrants in Mexico?
Cuban migrants in Mexico mainly seek to regularize their immigration status to work and send money to their families in Cuba. The migrant caravan has organized to pressure the Mexican authorities due to corruption and delays in the asylum process, facing precarious conditions and discrimination in Tapachula.
How is myiasis affecting Cuban migrants in Mexico?
Miasis, caused by the screw-worm fly, has affected migrants like Adrián Rodríguez, who is suffering from an infected wound. This disease has raised alarms in Mexico due to the increase in cases, especially among migrants who face precarious sanitary conditions during their journey.
What measures are the Mexican authorities taking regarding the situation of migrants?
The National Migration Institute (INM) is surveying migrants to understand their situation and provide them with options, ranging from repatriation to the possibility of accessing employment in Mexico. However, there is mistrust among migrants due to corruption and fear of being deceived.
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