The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a wound spray for the treatment of New World Screwworm infestations. The approval was given through an Emergency Use Authorization for F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray and according to the FDA, “may be effective in the prevention and treatment of NWS myiasis in cattle, horses, minor species of hoof stock (e.g., sheep, goats, deer), raptors and other wild birds, pet birds, and captive wild, exotic, and zoo mammals, and the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh its known and potential risks. F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide may not be used in domestic dogs and cats.”
The agency has concluded that food products from treated animals are safe for human consumption if the Emergency Use Authroization are followed such as withdrawal periods and milk discard time. Notes on the important food safety information for this product includes that “Cattle, goats, and sheep must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 30 days of treatment; For non-domesticated minor species of hoof stock (e.g., deer, elk, antelope and nilgai), use only when there is a reasonable certainty that the treated animal will not be slaughtered or harvested for human consumption within 30 days of treatment; Milk taken from cows, goats, or sheep during treatment and for 10 days after treatment must not be used for human consumption; and A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Treated calves and calves born to treated cows must not be processed for veal.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.