The 'Biologically Implausible' Case of the Woman Who Sneezed Maggots
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By Ed Cara
Published on March 13, 2026.
A woman in Greece, 58, was diagnosed with a rare case of a woman who sneezed out maggots in her nasal and sinus cavities, a rare occurrence that is considered "biologically implausible" to occur in any mammal host. The woman was treated with nasal decongestants and made a complete recovery after suffering worsening pain around her jawbone a week after noticing flies around her and developing severe coughing fits. She sought medical attention, where she was examined by an ear, nose, and throat specialist who found 10 maggotts and one pupa from her maxillary sinus. The maggets were identified as that of Oestrus ovis, aka the sheep bot fly, which lays first-stage larvae inside the nostrils of sheep, which then migrate to the nearby sinuses and grow into their third stage of life. Despite the discovery, doctors removed all of her unwelcome houseguests with no complications. This case may represent an early indication of evolutionary adaptation enabling Oestros ovis parasites to complete their life cycle in humans.
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