Texas Releases New World Screwworm Infested Zones
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
September 21, 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 or modified are:
Released Infested Zone 11
Modified Infested Zone 04
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.
Georgia tightens animal entry rules after new screwworm case [NM]
WRDW.com
September 21, 2026
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Georgia is rampingh up animal entry rules after a dangerous livestock pest was detected in New Mexico.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is immediately re-implementing enhanced interstate movement requirements for all warm-blooded animals coming into Georgia from five New Mexico counties.
This follows the Sept. 17 detection of New World screwworm in Grant County.
The additional rules apply to animals originating in Catron, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Grant counties in New Mexico. They are aimed at keeping the parasite from spreading.
Full text: https://www.wrdw.com/2026/09/21/georgia-tightens-animal-entry-rules-after-new-screwworm-case/
2. New Equine WNV Cases Identified in 4 States
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
September 18, 2026
Seven new equine West Nile virus (WNV) cases across four states have been reported to the Equine Disease Communication Center.
Pennsylvania
Dauphin County: One horse tested positive.
Lancaster County: One horse tested positive.
Union County: One horse tested positive.
Tennessee
McMinn County: One horse tested positive.
Michigan
Kent County: One unvaccinated horse tested positive.
Muskegon County: One unvaccinated horse tested positive.
California
Amador County: A vaccinated Quarter Horse gelding tested positive on Sept. 17 after developing neurologic signs. He is recovering. This is California's 14th confirmed equine WNV case of 2026.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147228/new-equine-wnv-cases-identified-in-4-states-2/
3. Promising route to faster IBV poultry vaccines discovered
Study may reduce reliance on embryonated hens' eggs and accelerate adaptation to emerging infectious bronchitis strains.
The Pirbright Institute
Feedstuffs
September 21, 2026
Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have identified a promising new route to develop faster, more adaptable vaccines against infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), one of the poultry industry's most economically significant diseases.
Researchers have shown that a protein from an attenuated laboratory strain of IBV can both weaken highly pathogenic virus strains and enable them to be grown in cell culture, a breakthrough that could reduce reliance on embryonated hens' eggs for vaccine production and accelerate responses to emerging variants.
IBV, a coronavirus that infects chickens, causes a highly contagious disease characterized by respiratory illness, reduced growth and declines in egg production and quality. Some strains can also spread beyond the respiratory tract, causing kidney disease and significant losses for poultry producers worldwide.
Live attenuated vaccines are currently produced by repeatedly passaging virulent virus strains through specific-pathogen-free embryonated hens' eggs, a process that can require over 80 passages and take considerable time. The approach remains dependent on a supply of disease-free eggs and can struggle to keep pace with the emergence of new viral strains.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/poultry/promising-route-to-faster-ibv-poultry-vaccines-discovered
4. Minnesota Confirms Avian Flu Case in Big Stone County Commercial Turkey Flock
By Holly McKernan
MyKXLG.com
September 21, 2026
[KXLG, Big Stone County, MN] -- A commercial turkey operation in western Minnesota has been hit with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), marking the state's latest infection in a year that continues to challenge poultry producers across the Upper Midwest.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the virus on September 15, affecting a flock of 55,700 meat turkeys. It is Minnesota's 13th commercial flock infected with HPAI in 2026 and the fourth case reported this month, following earlier detections in Becker, Otter Tail and Wright counties.
Federal data shows that only Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota have confirmed commercial poultry infections so far this fall. However, Wisconsin agriculture officials announced a new case in Barron County earlier this week, though federal details have not yet been released. Canada has also reported one infected commercial flock in Manitoba, just north of the Minnesota border.
5. Wyoming Game and Fish confirms chronic wasting disease in moose near Laramie
Wyoming Game and Fish News Release
September 21, 2026
LARAMIE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has confirmed chronic wasting disease in an adult bull moose in Moose Hunt Area 45, east of Laramie, in the Pilot Hill area. Game and Fish continues to notify the public of new areas where CWD is detected.
The Game and Fish's Wildlife Health Laboratory and the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory confirmed the disease in the moose. On Sept. 2, a member of the public reported the moose to the department after observing the animal suddenly collapse and die. Game and Fish Veterinary Services performed a field necropsy, which revealed the animal to be in poor body condition with evidence of a possible bacterial infection. Additional diagnostic tests are underway to learn more about the animal's overall health before its death.
This marks the second time CWD has been detected in a free-ranging moose in Wyoming. The state's first documented case of CWD in a moose occurred in 2008 in Moose Hunt Area 23 near Bedford.
6. African swine fever detected in Lappeenranta, Finland, for the first time
By Lev Shevtsov
UA.News
September 21, 2026
African swine fever has been detected for the first time in the Finnish city of Lappeenranta. The disease was recorded in the Huijakkala area, YLE News reports, citing the Finnish Food Authority.
The agency's statement said that specialists found four wild boar carcasses while searching a forest in the same area. One of the animals was shot due to symptoms of the disease.
The animals were found within the infection zone but outside the central zone. The Food Authority said that the central zone would be expanded later this week.