FDA Grants EUA for Ivermectin in Screwworm Prevention

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Ivermectin Liquid for Horses (ivermectin oral solution) as a short-term preventive against New World screwworm (NWS) infestations in horses. Announced on 15 July 2026, the authorisation covers use within 24 hours of birth or at initial wound care, and marks the FDA’s 11th EUA deployed against the ongoing NWS outbreak affecting US livestock.

The product, sponsored by Canadian-based Alberta Vet Labs Ltd., is a clear ready-to-use solution administered as an oral drench or via a naso-gastric tube. Its authorised use is short-term prevention only, with the FDA emphasising that the protective window lasts no more than 24 hours and that the product is not indicated for treatment of existing infestations. It is available by prescription only and not authorised for use in species other than horses. Newborn horses with healing umbilical wounds and animals with open wounds are particularly vulnerable to NWS.

Timothy Schell, Director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, emphasised that the product should be used alongside other preventive measures including bandaging, repellents and fly-control methods, rather than as a standalone protection. Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle A. Diamantas noted that the FDA has now deployed 11 EUAs in response to the NWS outbreak, having pledged to continue using all available authorities to bring veterinary preventive tools to market at pace. The EUA will remain in effect until formally revoked or until the underlying public health emergency declaration is terminated.

The commercial signal is a continued acceleration of veterinary preventive product authorisations against the NWS outbreak, with 11 EUAs now deployed and further approvals likely. Ivermectin’s dominance across the veterinary parasiticide category makes this an accessible product route to market. The equine focus also broadens the sector response beyond cattle, sheep and companion animals covered by earlier authorisations.

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