1. HPAI confirmed in two dairy herds in Yakima County [WA]
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
October 8, 2026
OLYMPIA, Wash. - The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in two Yakima County dairy farms in Washington state by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
For the last two years, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Washington State University have conducted over 7,000 surveillance tests for HPAI that have all been free of the disease.
This marks the first known case of HPAI in cattle in Washington state. Dairy cattle in a total of 19 states have been infected since the start of the outbreak in March 2024. Washington State Department of Agriculture conducted on-farm investigations, testing, and gathered additional epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread. The two farms are under quarantine and have employed strict biosecurity measures. Veterinarians are working to treat sick cows.
Pasteurized milk products remain safe for consumers, and milk supply shortages are not expected.
WSDA urges livestock owners statewide to report any clinical signs of illness to their veterinarian, including:
Changes in milk appearance (thicker, often yellowish to brown)
Decreased milk production
Decline in feed intake
Fever
Respiratory symptoms
Changes in manure
Steep drop in rumination and rumen motility
If you notice any of these signs, isolate affected animals and contact your veterinarian and WSDA at 360-902-1878 or ahealth@agr.wa.gov.
Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAAGR/bulletins/42e41b6
2. NC State lands $3.5M USDA award for national egg research and training center
The National Egg Science and Technology program will link a research aviary with an egg processing center where scientists, USDA inspectors and industry professionals can test technology and train on commercial-scale equipment.
Press release
WATTAgNet.com
October 8, 2026
What does it take to get an egg safely from the henhouse to your refrigerator?
More science and technology than you might think.
Consumer demand for cage-free farming systems has led to investments in new technologies, sometimes well before the technologies are ready for mass adoption. Modern egg processing plants can wash, inspect, grade and package thousands of eggs every hour. Keeping those systems running safely and efficiently requires cutting-edge research, skilled workers and well-trained inspectors.
Soon, they'll have a new place to learn and innovate.
North Carolina State University (NC State) has received a US$3.5 million award from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Research Facilities Act Program to help establish the National Egg Science and Technology (NEST) Program. The federal award matches $3.5 million already committed by industry partners, the Golden Leaf Foundation and NC State, creating a $7 million investment in research and training infrastructure for the U.S. egg industry.
3. Sow claw lesions: Early warning signs you shouldn't ignore
Flooring, housing, injuries and other environmental conditions can contribute to claw damage.
National Hog Farmer
October 8, 2026
Claw lesions can be easy to miss, especially when a sow moves normally and there is no obvious reason to look more closely at her feet. However, evaluating claw health can reveal valuable clues about what may be happening with the sow before more visible problems develop.
"Lameness isn't inevitable and it doesn't have to be something that we as an industry just accept," says Sarah Weiland, swine global research and technical services associate with Zinpro. "We know now that claw lesions are actually a clue that a sow doesn't have what she needs to perform at her best."
Following those clues can help producers and nutritionists identify the root cause of claw health issues and make more informed decisions for the herd.
Three Confirmed, Two Suspected Pigeon Fever Cases in Oregon
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
October 9, 2026
The Oregon State Department of Agriculture has identified new equine pigeon fever cases. In Deschutes County, one new horse has tested positive, and two horses are suspected to be positive. In Morrow County, two horses have tested positive, and one horse has been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147545/3-confirmed-2-suspected-pigeon-fever-cases-in-oregon/
Two Wisconsin Horses Test Positive for Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
October 9, 2026
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has confirmed two new strangles cases.
In Dane County, a 15-year-old Quarter Horse gelding tested positive on Sept. 28. He has recovered.
In Jefferson County, a 17-year-old Appaloosa gelding tested positive on Sept. 29 after presenting with lymphadenopathy and nasal discharge. Ten horses have been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147537/2-wisconsin-horses-test-positive-for-strangles-5/
5. Texas Releases New World Screwworm Infested Zones
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
October 10, 2026
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has released one New World screwworm (NWS) infested zone in Texas and modified another, with concurrence from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). These actions come after state and federal subject matter experts confirmed that the areas met requirements outlined in APHIS' New World Screwworm Response Playbook for zone release.
The zones being released/modified are: Release of Infested Zone 16 Modification of Infested Zone 17 (with portions of 6.A)
Releasing or modifying infested zones removes NWS-related movement requirements for livestock and pets within certain areas. All interstate movement requirements and international export requirements will still apply.
Several infested zones in Texas remain in place, and APHIS continues to work closely with TAHC to evaluate conditions for future zone releases. All Texas animal owners should visit the TAHC website to ensure they have the latest information about the location of infested zones, movement requirements, and zone-specific requirements.
APHIS and TAHC remain committed to supporting continuity of business for producers, and will continue applying science-based surveillance, early detection, and rapid response measures to ensure that areas are released as soon as the criteria have been met.
6. Feds sold lab equipment that exposed US to 'severe bioterrorism threat,' report says
By Mary Van Beusekom, MS
CIDRAP News
October 8, 2026
Federal agencies sold unneeded lab equipment to apparent resellers, exposing it to potential redeployment by people with malicious purposes, creating a national biosecurity risk, per a new US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. [See: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107729 ]
"Federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] and the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] can donate or sell lab equipment that they no longer need," the report said. "But some lab equipment could pose public health or national security threats if it falls into the wrong hands. For example, bad actors could use it to develop bioweapons."
Both HHS and the USDA operate research labs that dispose of equipment. While the sale or donation of such equipment can increase access to resources needed to conduct scientific research, the authors said neither HHS nor the USDA has evaluated the biosecurity risks associated with selling this equipment or taken steps to keep it from people with nefarious intent.
Nondisclosure of 9 items subject to export controls
From 2022 through 2025, HHS and USDA sold 1,316 pieces of lab equipment, including nine freeze dryers and mass spectrometers on the Commerce Control List, or subject to export controls.