FDA Authorizes Drugs for New World Screwworm in Dogs and Cats
Summary
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued two Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for drugs to treat New World screwworm infestations in dogs and cats. These EUAs apply to NexGard chewable tablets and NexGard COMBO topical solution.
What changed
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for veterinary drugs to treat New World screwworm (NWS) infestations. The first EUA is for NexGard (afoxolaner) chewable tablets for dogs, and the second is for NexGard COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel topical solution) for cats. These authorizations address the emergence of NWS, a parasitic fly larva that can infest warm-blooded animals.
While these are EUAs, they represent a significant step in providing treatment options for affected animals. Veterinarians and pet owners should be aware of these new treatment options. The FDA's action indicates a heightened concern regarding NWS outbreaks. No specific compliance deadlines or penalties are mentioned, as this is an authorization for treatment rather than a new regulation for manufacturers or distributors, though it implies a need for vigilance regarding animal health surveillance and treatment protocols.
What to do next
- Review FDA guidance on New World screwworm treatment
- Ensure availability of authorized NexGard products for dogs and cats if treating NWS infestations
Source document (simplified)
FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorizations for Drugs to Treat New World Screwworm in Dogs and Cats
Print Washington, D.C., February 18, 2026— Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued two Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) – one for NexGard (afoxolaner) chewable tablets for the treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) infestations (myiasis) in dogs, and the second for NexGard COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel topical solution) for the treatment of NWS myiasis in cats.
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