(NewsNation) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for the use of nitenpyram tablets for treating puppies, dogs, cats and kittens with New World screwworm.

It is the first generic animal drug authorized for screwworm treatment.

“The U.S. government is moving aggressively to contain and eliminate New World screwworm,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Today’s authorization is the latest HHS action to strengthen our response.”

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The FDA said it has reason to believe, based on scientific evidence, that nitenpyram may be effective in treating screwworm in dogs and cats and that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to combat screwworm, which has recently been documented in the U.S.

NWS flies lay eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes on mammals, with larvae hatching within hours. Those larvae burrow into the flesh of the animal, causing infection and myiasis, the infestation of living vertebrate tissue by larvae, resulting in illness and death.

Nitenpyram works quickly, within hours of the first dose. Animals must be at least 4 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds to be treated with the drug.

Pet owners should administer a second dose six hours after the first, then have a veterinary professional physically remove any live or dead larvae and provide wound care.

The over-the-counter tablets are available in 11.4 mg and 57 mg sizes, with dosing based on the dog’s or cat’s weight.

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