1. H5N1 avian flu activity picking up in Minnesota as study notes virus in polar bears
By Stephanie Soucheray, MA
CIDRAP News
September 24, 2026
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recorded eight new H5N1 avian flu outbreaks among commercial poultry, backyard flocks, and commercial turkey operations, with six of the outbreaks reported in Minnesota, while a new study reports H5 avian flu in polar bears in Alaska.
Montana and Wisconsin each reported a single poultry outbreak.
The largest outbreak was in Barron County, Wisconsin, with 79,100 affected birds at a commercial turkey meat operation. A total of 51,500 birds were sickened in two separate outbreaks at commercial turkey facilities in Stearns County, Minnesota.
In the past 30 days H5N1 avian flu has been confirmed in 20 flocks, including 13 commercial farms and seven backyard flocks. A total of 560,000 birds have been affected.
Minnesota also reported at least 40 wild-bird H5N1 avian flu detections in the past 10 days, most in the seven-county Minneapolos-St. Paul metro area. Mallards, Canada geese, and three bald eagles are among the wild birds.
Avian flu in Alaskan polar bears
In other news, a report this week in Science Direct notes that three dead polar bears in Alaska were infected with highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in 2023 and 2024.
"These data indicate that HPAIV infection may represent an emerging threat to polar bear health within the Alaska Arctic; though, population immunity seems to be building and may protect this species from widespread demographic impacts of disease," the authors said.
2. Maryland Warmblood Tests Positive for EHV-1
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
September 25, 2026
On Sept. 22, a 4-year-old warmblood mare in Baltimore County, Maryland, tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The mare developed clinical signs on Sept. 20.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has initiated an investigation into the case.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147374/maryland-warmblood-tests-positive-for-ehv-1-2/
3. Transportation biosecurity research and connection to National Swine Health Strategy - Livestream
LIVE STREAM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 1 PM
We discuss PEDV prevalence on trailers in colder weather research, along with some practical insight for producers and transporters.
By Ann Hess
Feedstuffs
September 25, 2026
The National Swine Health Strategy is a producer-led initiative to improve the health of the U.S. swine herd. Transportation biosecurity plays a vital role in its priority to reduce the spread of pathogens. Joining us to discuss PEDV prevalence on trailers in colder weather research, along with some practical insight for producers and transporters, are Megan Hood, DVM, Reicks Veterinary Research and Consulting, and Paul Ayers, NPB board member, chair of Swine Health Advisory Committee.
Why Rabies Prevention Should Be on Every Farmer's Radar
Farms.com
September 25, 2026
As World Rabies Day approaches, livestock producers are encouraged to review vaccination programs, monitor wildlife risks, and strengthen farm biosecurity measures.
As World Rabies Day approaches on September 28, 2026, veterinarians and public health officials are reminding farmers that rabies continues to pose a serious, and often overlooked, threat to livestock operations and rural communities.
This year's World Rabies Day theme, "Stronger Together," emphasizes the importance of cooperation among farmers, veterinarians, public health agencies, and communities in the effort to prevent and ultimately eliminate rabies. Global animal and public health organizations say successful rabies control depends on a coordinated One Health approach that recognizes the connection between people, animals, and the environment.
While many Americans associate rabies primarily with pets, the disease can affect a broad range of species found on farms, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and companion animals that live and work around livestock operations.
Wildlife Remains the Primary Source of Exposure
In the United States, wildlife species such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes remain the most common carriers of rabies. Those animals can come into contact with livestock, farm dogs, horses, and people, particularly on operations located near pastures, woodlots, waterways, and other wildlife habitat.
Two confirmed cases of rabies in a New York beef herd
Cornell CVM News
September 25, 2026
In September 2026, over the course of three weeks, three adult Angus beef cattle in a herd of 114 animals developed severe acute neurologic signs and died. Clinical signs included excessive salivation and vocalization, absent gaze, running through fences and gates and severe pruritus, leading to self-trauma and skin damage. The owner thought the first animal, a bull, had an esophageal obstruction (commonly referred to as "choke"). The owner passed an orogastric tube to relieve the possible obstruction, but the bull died within hours. The second and third animals (adult cows) became neurologic and died. The owner contacted the herd veterinarian, who collected the appropriate brain sample for rabies testing in both animals. This included a full cross section of the cerebellum and a section of brainstem. The fresh sample must be placed in a sterile container and sent for overnight delivery with ice packs to the New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center in Albany, NY.
Additionally, formalin fixed tissues and fresh tissues from the third cow were submitted to the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) for histopathology and ancillary testing. A top differential based on the neurologic clinical signs in pasture-based cattle was lead toxicosis. Lead testing on fresh liver tissue was negative. Fluorescent antibody staining for rabies was positive in both cows. Histopathology of the brain performed at the AHDC revealed intraneuronal intracytoplasmic viral inclusion bodies (Negri bodies),1 which is pathognomonic lesion for rabies virus (Image 1). An immunohistochemical stain for rabies was applied to the histology slides as well, staining the Negri bodies a dark red (Image 2).
Full text: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20260925/two-confirmed-cases-rabies-new-york-beef-herd
5. All Eyes on Animal Health: Officials outline importance of coordinated planning for NWS on public lands [edited]
By Wyoming Livestock Roundup
September 25, 2026
As trade resumes along the Southern Border, the threat of NWS moving further into the U.S. has prompted animal health officials, livestock organizations and land management agencies to examine how prepared they are to respond, especially in the West where livestock graze across vast public lands.
On Sept. 17 during the Public Lands Council 58th Annual Meeting, Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Peach Van Wick, New Mexico Department of Agriculture Director of Biosecurity Marshal Wilson and National Cattlemen's Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes discussed impacts of NWS, ongoing surveillance efforts and the complexities of managing an outbreak involving livestock, wildlife and public lands.
"In Colorado and similar states, when we have a normal winter, we don't think NWS is going to survive for very long," she stated. "But last year we didn't get the winter we are used to seeing, so we do have a little bit of concern that without prolonged freezing, this pest could still set up in the wintertime."
Baldwin also mentioned the idea of microhabitats - areas not entirely suitable for screwworm survival but have the potential to see an infestation if NWS is introduced via animal movement, for example.
She also emphasized larvae may not be immediately visible on animals because they can burrow deep into tissue, but encouraged producers to watch for animals that appear to be agitated, depressed or separated from the herd.
6. Mississippi State University Redesignated as FAO Reference Centre on Antimicrobial Resistance
ECOMagazine.com
September 25, 2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is redesignating Mississippi State University as an FAO Reference Center on Antimicrobial Resistance and Aquaculture Biosecurity.
The renewal follows FAO's positive review of MSU's progress since it was first named an FAO Reference Center in 2022, and it extends the agreement for a five-year period through October 2031. The university has a long history of leading expertise in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture, working with the FAO in the areas of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, as well as aquaculture biosecurity and aquatic animal health. The center is housed within the university's Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security, or GCAHFS. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms evolve to resist treatments such as antibiotics.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum said he looks forward to the university continuing this important work.