Sign in Subscribe
Food supply

FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Animal Drugs to Combat New World Screwworm

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for certain animal drug products to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS), a parasite that can cause severe tissue damage and death in livestock and, in rare cases, humans. The FDA's action is in response to the HHS declaration, which aims to safeguard the nation's food supply and prevent the potential impact on national security and animal health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FDA has authorized the flexible, faster use of certain animal drug products that may be approved for other purposes or available in other countries, but not formally approved for NWS in the U.S.
  • Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for NWS in the United States, and the FDA will provide future guidance to veterinarians and stakeholders on the appropriate use of any products authorized for emergency use.
  • The HHS declaration applies only to drugs for animals and aims to protect America's livestock and the nation's food supply from the emerging threat of NWS.
  • The risk to human health in the United States remains very low, but the potential future threat to animal populations and the food supply chain requires proactive action.

The emergence of NWS poses a potential impact on national security and animal health, and the FDA is acting swiftly to ensure the necessary tools are in place to prevent and control the parasite.

Statistics:

  • No FDA-approved drugs are currently available for NWS in the United States.
  • The FDA will provide future guidance to veterinarians and stakeholders on the appropriate use of any products authorized for emergency use.
  • The parasite has progressed north since 2022 and is now approaching the U.S. border with Mexico.
  • The risk to human health in the United States remains very low, but the potential future threat to animal populations and the food supply chain requires immediate action.

Sources:

  • U.S. FDA. (N.d.). New World Screwworm: Information for Veterinarians.
  • U.S. FDA. (N.d.). Emergency Use Authorization.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Aug. 19). HHS Declaration on the New World Screwworm.

Read more