FDA Approves New Treatments to Protect US Livestock

American livestock just got a powerful new line of defense against a parasite that once devastated the cattle industry.

The FDA approved two emergency treatments from Elanco Animal Health to combat the New World Screwworm, a flesh-eating pest that poses a serious threat to cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and hogs. The approval comes as the parasite was recently detected in Nuevo León, Mexico, just 62 miles from the US border.

The newly approved treatments, Negasunt Powder and Tanidil, will be stored in the National Veterinary Stockpile and distributed through state animal health officials when needed. Elanco also offers Catron IV, an EPA-registered spray that kills screwworm maggots and the flies that spread them.

"These emergency authorizations provide new, science-based solutions and treatment options to livestock producers, veterinarians, and other animal health industry stakeholders at a time when they need them most," said Ellen de Brabander, Elanco's executive vice president of research and development.

The New World Screwworm has been eradicated from the US since the 1980s thanks to innovative sterile fly technology. Female screwworm flies lay eggs in open wounds on animals, and the hatching maggots burrow into healthy tissue, causing severe damage and often death if untreated.

The Ripple Effect

This multi-pronged defense strategy shows how government agencies, private companies, and ranchers can work together to protect American agriculture. The US and Mexican governments are already collaborating on sterile fly facilities to reduce screwworm populations before they reach American livestock.

Dr. M. Wayne Ayers, a senior veterinarian at Elanco, emphasizes that early detection saves lives. Ranchers who check their animals frequently can spot infestations early and treat them before serious tissue damage occurs. Even wounds as small as tick bites can become entry points for screwworm eggs, making routine wound care and fly prevention programs essential.

The swift approval process demonstrates how regulatory agencies can respond quickly when American agriculture faces urgent threats. Federal reviewers fast-tracked the scientific data to get these treatments into the hands of ranchers who might need them.

With these new tools in place, American farmers have the protection they need to keep their herds healthy and thriving.