With the presence of a deadly, flesh-eating parasite in the U.S. growing greater by the day, federal and Texas officials are taking serious steps to stop a potential invasion and protect the country's livestock.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New World screwworms are an invasive species that burrow fly larvae into fresh wounds of living animals like livestock, pets and occasionally people. The damage they cause can be deadly. Abbott warned the screwworm has the potential the “crush” the state’s cattle industry.

Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins held a joint news conference Friday to announce new efforts to combat the New World screwworm.