Source: FDA
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has authorized the FDA to issue Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for animal drugs targeting the New World Screwworm (NWS), a dangerous parasite that infests warm-blooded animals. While eradicated in North and Central America decades ago, NWS has advanced north since 2022 and is now nearing the U.S.-Mexico border. The parasite can cause severe tissue damage and even death in animals, posing risks to livestock, wildlife, and the nation’s food supply.
Currently, no FDA-approved drugs exist in the U.S. for NWS. Under the EUA, the FDA can allow use of existing or foreign-approved drugs not yet authorized for NWS, giving veterinarians and farmers timely tools to respond. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary emphasized that this step is vital for protecting animal health, food security, and national security.