Topical spray receives EUA for prevention and treatment of New world screwworm

The FDA announced earlier this week it issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for benzalkonium chloride, polyhexanide, and cypermethrin topical solution (F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide; Health and Hygiene (Pty) Ltd) for prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) myiasis in cattle, horses, minor species of hoof stock, raptors and other wild birds, pet birds, and captive wild, exotic, and zoo mammals.¹

According to the FDA, based on scientific evidence available, the agency concluded that it is reasonable to believe 10 Antiseptic Would Spray with Insecticide could be effective in the treatment and prevention of NWS in the species listed, but may not be used in domestic cats or dogs. F10 Antiseptic Would Spray with Insecticide is currently available over-the-counter without a prescription, and was added to The Index of Legally Marketed Unapproved New Animal Drugs for Minor Species in 2015 to be used as a topical antiseptic for surface wounds, repel flies, and treat infestations due to fly strike in captive small mammals, captive reptiles, captive exotic/zoo mammals, pet birds, and raptors.¹ The product has not been through the conditional approval or approval process for the FDA.

RELATED: FDA issues EUA for product to treat New World screwworm in canine and feline patients2

Currently, animals in the US are low risk of NWS because of their geographic location, but animals living near the US-Mexico border and those that traveled to countries with active cases are more likely to be exposed to NWS. Although the FDA has issued conditional approvals or EUAs for drugs to prevent and/or treat NWS in cattle, cats, and dogs, this recent EUA is the first product authorized by the FDA for indications in additional species.

The agency also evaluated human food safety information and concluded food products obtained from treated animals are safe for humans to consumption, when terms and conditions of use granted by the EUA are followed. This includes the withdrawal period and milk discard period. The FDA also put out the following important food safety:¹

• Within 30 days of treatment, cattle, goats, and sheep must not be slaughtered for human consumption
• Non-domesticated minor species of hoof stock are to be used only when there is a reasonable certainty that the treated animal will not be harvested or slaughtered for human consumption within 30 days of treatment.
• Any milk taken from cows, goats, or sheep during treatment and for 10 days after treatment must not be used for human consumption.
• A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves, so treated calves and calves born to treated cows must not be processed for veal.

F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide’s EUA will be effective until its revoked or the HHS Secretary terminates the declaration that the public health emergency use of animal drugs to NWS.

Reference

1. FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Topical Spray to Prevent and Treat New World Screwworm in Multiple Species, Including Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Horses, Wild and Exotic Mammals, Wild and Pet Birds. News release. March 10, 2026. Accessed March 11, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-issues-emergency-use-authorization-topical-spray-prevent-and-treat-new-world-screwworm-multiple?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
2. McCafferty C. FDA issues EUA for products to treat New World screwworm in canine and feline patients. February 28, 2026. Accessed March 11, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/fda-issues-eua-for-product-to-treat-new-world-screwworm-in-canine-and-feline-patients