FDA grants EUA for antiseptic barrier ointment against New World screwworm

On April 24, 2026, the US FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for F10 Antiseptic Barrier Ointment With Insecticide for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) infestations.

The EUA covers use across a broad range of species, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, wild and exotic mammals, and wild and pet birds.

The authorization marks the latest step in the agency’s ongoing effort to expand prevention and treatment options as NWS continues its northward march toward the United States. F10 Antiseptic Barrier Ointment With Insecticide is sponsored by Health and Hygiene (Pty) Ltd, a South Africa–based company that also manufactures the previously authorized F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray With Insecticide, a topical spray that received EUA status in March 2026 for the same range of species.

The ointment formulation contains antiseptic and insecticidal active ingredients designed to prevent NWS larvae from infesting wounds and mucous membranes. The ointment format offers a complementary delivery option to the spray, potentially making it easier to apply to confined wound areas or in situations where a spray is less practical.

This EUA adds to a growing list of products authorized by the FDA specifically for NWS since the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an emergency declaration in August 2025, citing NWS as a significant potential public health threat with national security implications.

Regulatory actions to combat NWS threat

The timeline of FDA regulatory actions to date includes:

• December 2025: Conditional approval of lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets (Credelio Quattro-CA1; Elanco Animal Health) for dogs
• December 2025: Conditional approval of fluralaner topical solution (Exzolt Cattle-CA1; Intervet Inc) for cattle
• February 5, 2026: EUA for ivermectin injectable (Ivomec; Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) for cattle
• February 18, 2026: EUAs for afoxolaner (NexGard; Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) and esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel (NexGard COMBO; Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) for dogs and cats
• March 10, 2026: EUA for F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray With Insecticide (Health and Hygiene [Pty] Ltd) for cattle, small ruminants, horses, exotic and wild mammals, and wild and pet birds
• April 24, 2026: EUA for F10 Antiseptic Barrier Ointment With Insecticide (Health and Hygiene [Pty] Ltd) for the same multispecies indication

The F10 ointment and spray are the only authorized products covering species beyond cattle and companion animals—a significant gap that has left equine practitioners, exotic animal specialists, zoo veterinarians, and bird owners with few regulatory-backed options.

NWS (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that deposits eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. The larvae burrow into living tissue and feed on it, causing wounds that are frequently fatal if left untreated. Livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans can all be affected.

Once eradicated from North America and Central America, NWS has been progressing northward since 2022. The parasite poses a serious threat to US livestock, wildlife, and food security should it establish itself within the country’s borders.

Availability and use

The F10 Antiseptic Barrier Ointment With Insecticide is available over the counter without a prescription. As with all products authorized under an EUA, use is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the authorization. The EUA remains in effect until revoked or until the HHS terminates the underlying public health emergency declaration.

Veterinarians seeking detailed product information should consult the FDA fact sheet for the F10 Antiseptic Barrier Ointment With Insecticide, available on the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine updates page. For a comprehensive list of currently authorized and approved NWS products, visit the FDA’s Animal Drugs for New World Screwworm page or the US government’s unified NWS resource at Screwworm.gov.

Veterinary practices with patients in higher-risk regions—including those working with livestock, equine, zoo, or exotic and avian species—are encouraged to review the authorization details and discuss appropriate prevention and treatment protocols with their state animal health officials.

Reference

FDA issues emergency use authorization for ointment to prevent and treat New World screwworm in multiple species, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, wild and exotic mammals, wild and pet birds. FDA. April 24, 2026. Accessed April 24, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-issues-emergency-use-authorization-ointment-prevent-and-treat-new-world-screwworm-multiple