WACO, Texas - Waco City Council has approved the acceptance of 32,000 doses of NexGard medication valued at just under $600,000, donated by the Bissell Pet Foundation in partnership with pharmaceutical manufacturer Boehringer-Ingelheim, as a preparedness measure against the New World Screwworm.

The donation will be distributed through Pet Circle Animal Center, which will partner with the Animal Birth Control Clinic to get doses to community members and vulnerable animals in need.

What is the New World Screwworm?The New World Screwworm is a parasite spread by the screwworm fly, which lays its eggs in open wounds on animals.