The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has given the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to quickly allow veterinarians and farmers to use animal drugs to prevent or treat infestations of the flesh-eating New World screwworm. While no cases have been reported in the US for decades, recent detections in Mexico have raised concerns over potential impacts on cattle herds and beef prices, according to Reuters.

Screwworm, a parasitic fly that can attack any warm-blooded animal, is usually controlled by releasing sterile flies—a process currently limited by production capacity. With no FDA-approved drugs for screwworm in the US, the emergency authorization will allow the use of unapproved drugs or off-label applications to protect livestock more rapidly.

Officials emphasized that the risk to human health remains very low, but proactive measures are needed to safeguard animals and the food supply, Reuters reported.