The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became authorized on Tuesday to allow the use of animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that has recently disrupted the cattle industry.

A declaration from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will allow the FDA to issue emergency use authorizations for animal drugs to treat the insect. A spokesperson for HHS did not specify what medicines have been green-lit to combat the parasite.

© The Hill