Source: WUSF
Dr. Keith Poulsen of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says combating New World Screwworm (NWS) in the U.S. may require the emergency use of certain animal drugs, mainly in the ivermectin class, under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA). These treatments can only be prescribed by veterinarians with valid client-patient relationships and won’t be available at farm supply stores.
Some drugs considered for emergency use are only labeled for small animals, creating uncertainty about dosage, safety, and potential residues in meat or milk. Poulsen stresses the importance of good recordkeeping and communication with herd veterinarians to manage withdrawal times and food safety. While northern states like Wisconsin may not immediately need these drugs, animals transported from the Southwest or abroad could pose risks if previously treated. Currently, no FDA-approved drugs exist for NWS in the U.S., but Emergency Use Authorizations allow access to unapproved or foreign products.