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

March 10, 2026

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide (benzalkonium chloride, polyhexanide, and cypermethrin topical solution) for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) infestations (myiasis).

The FDA has concluded that based on the scientific evidence available, it is reasonable to believe that F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide may be effective in the prevention and treatment of NWS myiasis in cattle, horses, minor species of hoof stock (e.g., sheep, goats, deer), raptors and other wild birds, pet birds, and captive wild, exotic, and zoo mammals, and the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh its known and potential risks. F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide may not be used in domestic dogs and cats.

Most animals in America are at low risk of NWS due to their geographic location; however, animals near the U.S.-Mexico border and those that have been in countries with active NWS cases are more likely to be exposed to NWS.

To date, the FDA has conditionally approved or issued EUAs for drugs to prevent and/or treat NWS in cattle, dogs, and cats. F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide is the first product authorized by the FDA for NWS indications in additional species.

The agency evaluated relevant human food safety information and concluded that the food products obtained from treated animals are safe for human consumption when the terms and conditions of use granted by the EUA are followed, including the withdrawal period and milk discard time.

Important food safety information:

Cattle, goats, and sheep must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 30 days of treatment.
For non-domesticated minor species of hoof stock (e.g., deer, elk, antelope and nilgai), use only when there is a reasonable certainty that the treated animal will not be slaughtered or harvested for human consumption within 30 days of treatment.
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. Treated calves and calves born to treated cows must not be processed for veal.

Detailed product information about F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide can be found in the Fact Sheet: Emergency Use Authorization of F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide (benzalkonium chloride, polyhexanide and cypermethrin topical solution) for New World Screwworm (NWS).

F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide is available over the counter without a prescription. The FDA added the F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide (Minor Species Index File [MIF] 900-010) to The Index of Legally Marketed Unapproved New Animal Drugs for Minor Species in 2015 for use as a topical antiseptic for surface wounds, to repel flies and treat infestations due to fly strike in raptors, pet birds, captive small mammals, captive reptiles and captive exotic/zoo mammals. The product has not been through the FDA’s approval or conditional approval process.

This EUA will be effective until it is revoked or the HHS Secretary terminates the declaration that the potential public health emergency presented by NWS justifies the emergency use authorization of animal drugs for NWS.

F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide is sponsored by Health and Hygiene (Pty) Ltd, based in South Africa.

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