By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received an emergency exemption to allow the importation and use of a topical powder to prevent and treat New World screwworm (NWS).

The exemption, granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, authorizes the use of Tanidil, a topical powder manufactured by Elanco.

The powder is made in Brazil and is not currently available in the U.S., requiring importation before it can be used. Importation and relabeling are expected to take 90 to 100 days from the time the official order is placed.

The product is approved for use in multiple species, including livestock, captive and temporarily captured wildlife and some zoo animals. It may not be used in domestic dogs, cats or birds.

Tanidil will only be available through the National Veterinary Stockpile and will be distributed in coordination with state animal health officials and federally recognized tribal agencies.

Some states require state-level registration of the product. APHIS will notify individual states of the emergency exemption and request registration in those states. Tanidil may not be available in certain states.

If NWS is detected in the U.S., Tanidil may only be used by federal, state, local agencies and federally recognized tribal agencies, and persons working under their supervision, including personnel at quarantine stations and areas, veterinarians, certified applicators at livestock and game facilities, zoos, wildlife facilities, animal rehabilitation centers and wildlife professionals.

Once the product is imported, APHIS will provide additional details regarding use requirements, including safety measures, personal protective equipment and reporting protocols.

Tanidil is similar to Negasunt Powder. However, the products follow different regulatory pathways. While Tanidil is regulated by the EPA, Negasunt falls under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was granted an emergency use authorization.