News

FDA grants conditional approval for NWS treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued conditional approval of Exzolt Cattle-CA1 from Merck to combat New World screwworm.  

This is the first topical drug approved in the U.S. to treat and control NWS and Cattle Fever Tick in cattle. The parasiticide can be used in beef cattle 2 months of age or older and replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. 

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller says this is a landmark achievement for livestock health and a huge win for the nation’s cattle producers.  He says this treatment gives producers modern, science-backed tools needed to keep herds safe. 

NWS has not yet been detected in the U.S., but a third, isolated case was detected in Nuevo León this week, approximately 120 miles from the U.S border.