The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recent Emergency Use Authorization for Dectomax CA-1for the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm in Dairy Cattle. The authorization of Dectomax CA-1, which is sponsored by Zoetis, includes emergency use in dairy cattle including lactating dairy cows, dry dairy cows, replacement dairy heifers 20 months of age and older, but excludes dairy calves to be processed for veal.
The Emergency Use Authorization also authorizes the drugs to be used in the prevention of New World Screwworm in swine, horses at least one year old, sheep (excluding lactating sheep) and deer. The FDA concluded that based on scientific evidence it is reasonable to believe that Dectomax CA-1 may be effective in New World Screwworm infestation treatment.
Limitations with this drug include a milk discard time of 468 hours after treatment, slaughter withdrawal periods of 35 days for Dairy cows, sheep and deer, and 24 days for swine. The USDA does not authorize the use of Dectomax-CA1 in pre-ruminating calves, horses less than one year, or lactating sheep. This Emergency Use Authorization will be effective until revoked by the FDA.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin and Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.