Man warns of mango fly infestation in humans

After making it through an unbearable week of pain and discomfort, Muldersdrift resident Gary Marais spoke to the Krugersdorp News about his mango fly experience.

While many might think that only animals can fall prey to this painful infestation, they need to remember that humans are just as at risk as any other species.

READ MORE: What you need to know about mango fly worms

During the past few weeks, Krugersdorp News has received a number of reports about local residents being infected with mango flies.

“On Friday, approximately two weeks ago, my back started itching. After assuming it was nothing serious, I just left it. On the Monday morning, it got very itchy, and I thought a few fleas had bitten me,” he said.

This is what Gary Marais’ back looked like before the larvae were extracted. Photo: Submitted.

“About two days later these ‘bites’ started looking like boils, and I remember thinking that it might have been a spider.”

On Thursday he made a doctor’s appointment after discovering that black holes were forming within each of these ‘bites’.

“I just experienced this continuous itch. It was burning and hurting so badly as well – all of the time. The doctor gave me some antibiotic cream as he wasn’t really sure what these ‘bites’ were,” Gary said.

This is what Gary Marais’ back looked like after the larvae were extracted. Photo: Submitted.

According to him, the pain and discomfort was unbearable the following day. He then asked his wife, Kathleen, to extract the black part that was forming in the middle of the ‘bite’ with a needle.

“We were absolutely shocked when my wife pulled out a two- to three-millimetre long larva. The antibiotic cream had obviously suffocated it, which made it possible to get out,” he explained.

Bernadette Opperman’s finger, after she extracted a larva from it. Photo: Submitted.

“The pain stopped within seconds after my wife pulled out about 14 larvae. It was a terrible experience.”

According to Gary, they hang their towels outside to dry each morning, without ironing them before use. He concluded that this was the only reasonable source of the infestation.

Krugersdorp News subsequently asked Claudette Smit, Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator at Netcare Krugersdorp Hospital for more information on the matter.

She explained that a Mango fly, also known as the Tumbu fly or Putzi fly, is a type of parasite that lays its eggs near animals and people. They are commonly found in East and Central Africa, which are tropical and humid areas.

“The female fly likes to lay her eggs in dirty soil, or in wet and clammy material such as wet clothes or linen. When the eggs hatch, the larvae start looking for a host to live off, and typically end up under the skin of mammals or humans,” she explained.

The signs and symptoms include the following:

• Itchy skin

• Painful blisters on the skin

• Pimples or boil-like sores on the skin – only when the larvae are found or seen in the skin can a definite diagnosis be made

People should take their travelling history into consideration when seeking a diagnosis. She added that it usually takes about three days for the sore to become ripe, whereafter pus will come out and the larvae will emerge from the sore.

Prevention and treatment:

• Ensure your direct living environment is clean and free of animal urine and faeces – implement good hygienic principles

• Refrain from leaving any clothing, bedding or towels on the ground to dry

• If possible, iron all clothing as the heat will kill the eggs. Alternatively, do not wear the dry clothing for 48 hours to break the creature’s life cycle

“Treatment will include applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly over the affected area and leaving it for approximately one hour to suffocate the larvae and then pushing it out of the skin.”

She subsequently urged anyone who suspects that they are infected to consult with a doctor as soon as possible as one might cause further damage, pain or inflammation to the skin when attempting to remove the larvae without medical assistance.

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