1. Texas sounds alarm as New World screwworm moves closer [edited]
New sterile fly production facility will complement USDA's ongoing production of 100 million sterile flies per week at the Panama-based COPEG facility.
By Ann Hess,Content Producer
National Hog Farmer
April 21, 2026
With the USDA confirming a New World screwworm case this week in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, just 62 miles from the Texas border, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says the threat is "creeping dangerously close."
"This is now the northernmost active case in Mexico, and that puts Texas squarely in the crosshairs. The fact that this detection falls within the current sterile fly dispersal zone tells you just how real and active this fight already is. USDA has been working with Mexican authorities to track and respond, and those efforts matter, but this is no time to let up," Miller said.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: when it comes to protecting our livestock industry we must go on offense. That means ramping up surveillance, tightening coordination at the border, and making absolutely certain every available resource is deployed to stop this dangerous pest."
Groundbreaking marks next major milestone
With over 1,270 NWS cases in swine in Mexico, the Swine Health Information Center continues to monitoring the situation to evaluate the risk to the U.S. swine herd. In addition to 12.2 million head of cattle and over 1 million commercial pigs in inventory, Texas is home to estimated population of 2.6 million feral hogs.
2. California Quarter Horse Gelding Tests Positive for EIA; Indiana Horse Tests Positive for EHM
EDCC Health Watch
Equus Magazine
April 21, 2026
On April 20, a 5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in Santa Clara County, California, tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). Epidemiological tracing is ongoing, but transmission is suspected to be iatrogenic (mechanical transfer via contaminated needles, surgical instruments, blood products, or multi-dose vials).
The gelding has been quarantined. There are no additional exposed horses on the property.
Indiana Horse Tests Positive for EHM
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
April 20, 2026
On April 17, a 2-year-old draft horse stallion in Elkhart County, Indiana, tested positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The horse is quarantined. Two additional horses are suspected to be positive.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1143959/indiana-horse-tests-positive-for-ehm/
One Confirmed and 15 Suspected Strangles Cases at Georgia Boarding Facility
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
April 20, 2026
On March 13, a 13-year-old Spotted Saddle Horse gelding at a boarding facility in Lumpkin County, Georgia, tested positive for strangles. The horse developed clinical signs on March 9, including fever and nasal discharge.
Several other horses at the property have exhibited more severe symptoms, including high fever, coughing, purulent nasal discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, and vasculitis. To date, 15 out of 26 horses on the premises have shown some signs of respiratory illness.
Two Strangles Cases Confirmed at Colorado Boarding Facility
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
April 20, 2026
Two horses at a boarding facility in Jefferson County, Colorado, have tested positive for strangles. One of the horses is a 4-year-old Thoroughbred mare, who tested positive on April 17 after developing nasal discharge on April 10. No details are currently available on the second horse.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1143957/2-strangles-cases-confirmed-at-colorado-boarding-facility/
4. Positive Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Indiana's Wild White-tailed Deer [edited]
By Travis Thayer
EagleCountryOnline.com
April 20, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed three positive cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild white-tailed deer during the 2025-2026 hunting season in Noble, Franklin, and Rush counties.
"Hunters play an important role in helping Indiana DNR monitor CWD in the deer herd. With their support, we are gaining a better understanding of the extent of this disease across the state," said Joe Caudell, Indiana DNR deer biologist.
5. USMEF hosts Red Meat Symposium in Mexico City
U.S. red meat exporters make new connections with Mexican buyers and see USMEF's marketing efforts in the region.
By U.S. Meat Export Federation
Beef Magazine
April 20, 2026
U.S. beef, pork and lamb exporters met with buyers from across Mexico last week at the U.S. Meat Export Federation's second U.S. Red Meat Symposium in Mexico City. One of those exporters was Mark Spengler of Greater Omaha Packing Co., who returned after attending the first USMEF Symposium two years ago.
He said the event is of high value for his company because it allows a small company to develop personal relationships with buyers across Mexico with just a two-day visit.
"We've been looking forward to coming to this event since the last one two years ago. It's really a unique opportunity for manufacturers in the U.S. to get out in front of real buyers, real people down here in the market. We always get new business and new customers out of it. So we're really pleased with the U.S. Meat Export Federation's determination to make this thing happen," Spengler said.
"We work with a lot of small producers, small feedlots, and we're looking for homes for the entire carcass," he added. "So we ship everything from offals to the very highest of high-end premium fine dining product down here into the market, because we have to get as much value out of these animals as we possibly can, especially in times like these, when the profitability of the packer segment is limited or nonexistent. So we are truly looking for bits and pieces of opportunity everywhere, and that includes Mexico. What USMEF is doing to help us down here really makes a big difference."
Full text: https://www.beefmagazine.com/market-news/usmef-hosts-red-meat-symposium-in-mexico-city