Just one fly can lay up to 300 eggs at a time and is drawn "to the odor of a wound or natural opening on a live, warm-blooded animal."

A parasitic worm eradicated in the United States nearly 60 years ago could be threatening a comeback, Texas wildlife officials warn. The New World Screwworm was recently detected in Mexico, and the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife is asking people in South Texas to watch out for animals affected by the screwworms.

"Those enjoying Texas' natural resources have an opportunity to serve as the first line of defense in protecting wildlife, livestock, and human health," said Dr. J Hunter Reed, TPWD wildlife veterinarian, in a news release. "Their eyes and ears will be critical to quickly responding and managing this threat."

The screwworm can be devastating to crops and livestock, as it can cause serious, often fatal damage to living things.

The flesh-eating fly larvae, which were recently detected in Mexico, were declared eradicated from Texas in the 1960s.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife said the screwworm was found in a cow at an inspection checkpoint in the southern Mexico State of Chiapas.

The New World screwworm fly, which affects livestock, wildlife and pets, is creeping closer to Texas after decades of eradication.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sent out an advisory warning hunters, livestock owners, and outdoorsy folks near the southern border to watch out for a flesh-eating parasite known as the New World Screwworm.