Aug 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on

Thursday issued an emergency use authorization for Zoetis' ( ZTS )

flea and tick drug to treat New World screwworm (NWS)

infestations in dogs and puppies.

Here are more details:

* Currently, most dogs in the U.S. are at low risk of

exposure to NWS, which is a flesh-eating livestock pest, due to

their geographic location, the FDA said.

* However, dogs that live in, travel to, or return from

areas where screwworm infestations have been identified by

animal health officials, as well as certain countries south of

the U.S. border, should be closely monitored for signs of

infestation, such as visible maggots, foul odors in wounds or

body openings, the agency said.

* At present, NWS has only been detected in specific areas

of Texas and New Mexico.

* The FDA issues emergency use authorizations to allow the

use of unapproved treatments during public health threats when

no alternatives are available.

* Based on the totality of data available, the FDA said it

is reasonable to believe that Simparica TRIO may be effective in

the treatment of NWS infestations.

* The drug was approved by the FDA in 2020 for heartworm,

flea and tick-related indications in dogs and puppies. It is

available only by prescription.

* Elanco Animal Health also received an emergency use nod

for its drug, Credelio, last year to treat dogs infected with

New World screwworm.