Trump FDA acts fast after screwworm cases hit NM and TX

President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration, run by Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, has granted emergency use authorization for a generic over-the-counter tablet to treat New World screwworm in dogs and cats, marking the first generic animal drug authorized for use against the dangerous parasite.

The move comes as officials in New Mexico and Texas have confirmed at least seven domestic screwworm cases involving cattle, a dog, and a goat — the first confirmed U.S. cases in decades after the parasite was eradicated from the country in the 1960s, according to The Hill.

New World screwworm is not a typical nuisance pest. It is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. The larvae enter through open wounds and burrow into flesh, causing severe injuries and extreme suffering if the infestation is not discovered and treated quickly.

The parasite is especially feared by ranchers because of the damage it can cause to cattle and livestock operations. But it can also affect pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans.

With New Mexico now among the states where cases have been confirmed, the Trump administration’s FDA action gives pet owners and veterinarians another tool as federal and state officials work to contain the threat.

The FDA authorized nitenpyram tablets for emergency use in dogs and cats. The generic drug comes in two strengths and is administered based on the animal’s weight. According to the FDA, the treatment acts quickly, killing most larvae within hours of the first dose.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the authorization will help pet owners respond faster and strengthen the broader containment effort.

The FDA’s action “puts an affordable, fast-acting treatment in the hands of pet owners, strengthens our containment strategy, and helps stop this destructive parasite from spreading further in the United States,” Kennedy said in a statement.

The treatment is intended for dogs and cats that weigh at least two pounds and are at least four weeks old.

Pet owners are instructed to give a second dose six hours after the first. However, the FDA cautioned that the tablets do not prevent reinfestation. A veterinarian may still need to remove remaining living or dead larvae from the animal.

Federal officials have said the risk to most pets across the country remains low. However, animals that have been in affected areas are considered more vulnerable.

That warning is especially relevant in New Mexico, where ranching, livestock, working dogs, and rural outdoor life are part of everyday life for many families. The confirmed cases in New Mexico and Texas raise concerns not only for pet owners, but also for ranchers and livestock producers already watching the spread closely.

The New World screwworm’s return to the United States is a serious development for agriculture. Before it was eradicated domestically in the 1960s, the pest caused devastating losses to the livestock industry. Its reappearance has prompted renewed concern from federal officials, veterinarians, and animal health experts.

For New Mexico ranchers and rural communities, quick identification and treatment will be key. Open wounds on animals should be monitored carefully, particularly in areas where screwworm has been detected. Any signs of unusual larvae, worsening wounds, or severe animal distress should be reported to a veterinarian immediately.

The Trump FDA’s emergency authorization does not immediately end the screwworm threat, but it does provide a faster, more affordable option for treating infected pets while containment efforts continue.

For now, federal officials are urging vigilance — particularly in affected areas — as the U.S. works to stop the destructive parasite from spreading further.