myiasis

noun

my·​ia·​sis mī-ˈī-ə-səs How to pronounce myiasis (audio)
mē-
plural myiases mī-ˈī-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce myiasis (audio)
mē-
: infestation with fly maggots

Examples of myiasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In humans, an infestation, or myiasis, can be quite painful, according to the CDC. Dave Wessner, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 New World screwworm, also known as myiasis, is a parasitic infestation of fly larvae that feeds on live flesh, according to the CDC. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025 The best defense against myiasis, a parasitic infection caused by the larvae (maggots) of flies, is prevention. Tina Chen, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2025 In humans, the infestation—known as myiasis—typically occurs in individuals with untreated wounds, particularly those living in rural areas or sleeping outdoors. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 New World screwworm flies cause myiasis, an infection of flesh-eating maggots that burrow into the skin of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage, Reuters reported. George Petras, USA Today, 14 May 2025 The flies cause myiasis, an infection of flesh-eating maggots that burrow into the skin of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage, Reuters reported. Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 13 May 2025 Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images Mexico's Health Ministry issued an epidemiological alert this month after the first human case of screwworm myiasis was confirmed on April 17 in a 77-year-old woman living in the southern state of Chiapas. CBS News, 11 May 2025 The infection, called myiasis, is intensely painful and life-threatening. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek myia fly — more at midge

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of myiasis was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Myiasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myiasis. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

myiasis

noun
my·​ia·​sis mī-ˈī-ə-səs How to pronounce myiasis (audio) mē- How to pronounce myiasis (audio)
plural myiases -ˌsēz How to pronounce myiasis (audio)
: infestation with fly maggots

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