Flesh-eating parasite that can infest humans and animals found in the US

Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows. The parasite has been found in the US for the first time since the 1960s (Picture: Reuters)

The US has detected a parasite that can eat cattle and wild animals alive for the first time in six decades.

New World screwworm has been found in a calf in Texas after travelling through Central America and Mexico.

Parasitic flies lay eggs in wounds on warm-blooded animals before burrowing into flesh. If untreated, the host dies.

Fears were raised it would cross over the border last week after it was found just 30 miles away.