The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday approved emergency use of an over-the-counter generic drug to treat New World screwworm disease in cats and dogs, as the U.S. government ramps up efforts to control the spread of the parasite.
U.S. officials this month confirmed the first indigenous cases of New World screwworm infection in more than six decades in cattle, goats and dogs in Texas and New Mexico.
New World screwworms are flies that feed on living tissue, entering animals through open wounds and burrowing into flesh.
The FDA says imidacloprid is a fast-acting treatment that can be used on pets that weigh at least two pounds and are at least four weeks old. The drug is expected to kill most larvae within hours of the first application.
The agency said the second dose should be taken six hours after the first dose, but added that the drug may not prevent reinfection and veterinarians may still need to remove remaining larvae and treat wounds.
U.S. officials have warned that while the risk to most pets in the country is low, animals that have recently traveled to affected areas are more susceptible to infection.
The tablet, available in two dosage strengths, is the first generic drug approved for this use in animals and has been approved through the emergency use pathway.
FDA officials said the move is part of a broader effort by U.S. health and agriculture departments to limit the spread of this parasite and ensure pet owners have access to affordable treatment options.
The FDA said that based on available evidence, the benefits of the treatment outweigh the potential risks.
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