1. APHIS issues pseudorabies response update
Movement restrictions lifted within 5-mile surveillance zone but remain in place for 2-mile zone around index herd in Iowa.
USDA-APHIS Press Release
Feedstuffs
May 15, 2026
Following the April 30, 2026 confirmation of pseudorabies in a small commercial herd in Iowa, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, in coordination with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), has lifted movement restrictions within the five-mile surveillance zone after all premises completed round one testing with no further detections. The two-mile surveillance zone around the index herd remains active, and movement restrictions within that zone continue.
All animals from both the Iowa index herd and the non-commercial source herd in Texas have been depopulated and properly disposed of. All herds with direct exposure to these positive sites have been identified, and epidemiological investigations and diagnostic testing of these sites are ongoing. No additional commercial sites have been identified as having direct exposure to the commercial site in Iowa or the source herd in Texas. Cleaning and disinfection of the Iowa premises were completed on May 12, 2026.
Premises within the two-mile surveillance zone, along with all exposed herds, must complete a second round of testing 30-60 days after the affected site is cleaned and disinfected. This testing is scheduled to occur between June 12 and July 11, 2026. Until negative results from this second testing round are confirmed, movement restrictions for exposed herds and all swine premises within the two-mile zone will remain in place.
Key information
Pseudorabies testing in the five-mile surveillance zone is complete with negative results. APHIS and IDALS have lifted movement restrictions for premises in this zone.
The affected site remains under quarantine pending a 30-day fallow period and completion of the second round of testing for all exposed herds and all swine premises in the two-mile surveillance zone.
Strong biosecurity practices are the best defense for producers to protect their herds from pseudorabies and other diseases of concern.
This detection does not pose a risk to consumer health or affect the safety of the commercial pork supply. There may be limited, short-term impacts on exports of U.S. swine, swine genetics and certain animal products. USDA continues to work closely with trading partners to clarify and mitigate these impacts.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/swine/aphis-issues-pseudorabies-response-update
2. Mexico Halts U.S. Breeding Pig Imports Due to Virus Antibodies
Devdiscourse News
May 14, 2026
Mexico has temporarily suspended imports of breeding pigs and certain related products from the United States in response to the detection of pseudorabies virus antibodies in some animals. The decision, announced by Ivan Espinosa, head of the Mexican pork producers group Opormex, was reported to Reuters.
The halt, affecting roughly 10% of Mexico's overall pork-product imports from the U.S., specifically targets breeding pigs, semen, viscera, and animal offal. Pork meat continues to be imported as it poses no risk of disease transmission, Espinosa clarified.
The measure was implemented by Mexico's National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety, and Quality (Senasica) on May 2 as a cautionary strategy. While no clinical outbreak has been reported, Mexico will seek to determine safe regions for trade resumption should the need arise. Consideration for alternative suppliers and boosting local production could ensure supply continuity if necessary.
3. APHIS Announces Funding to Support Chronic Wasting Disease Control and Prevention
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
May 15, 2026
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will provide approximately $12 million to support efforts by States and Tribal governments, research institutions, and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).
"Chronic wasting disease poses a serious threat to U.S. wildlife and agriculture. This funding reflects our commitment to working collaboratively with States, Tribes, and research partners to develop innovative solutions and protect the health of our nation's cervid populations," said Dr. Alan Huddleston, Acting U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer.
APHIS will competitively fund the most promising projects that develop innovative tools or methods, support State and Tribal CWD control programs at the local level and provide indemnity payments to cervid owners with pending claims. This includes:
Approximately $6 million to support critical projects to control and prevent CWD in farmed cervids,
Approximately $5.5 million to support research and management of CWD in wild cervids, and
Approximately $500,000 to support CWD prevention and management on Tribal lands.
Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/4177f97
4. US officials note a handful of new avian flu outbreaks at poultry facilities
By Stephanie Soucheray, MA
CIDRAP News
May 14, 2026
Highly pathogenic avian flu has affected a handful of commercial poultry operations recently, per the latest updates from the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In the past 30 days, the virus has been detected among eight commercial and six backyard flocks, affecting a total of 250,000 birds.
The largest, most recent confirmation comes from Elkhart, Indiana, where 29,800 birds at a commercial duck meat facility were hit with the H5N1 strain. Becker, Minnesota, reported an outbreak at a commercial breeder operation affecting 19,200 birds.
LaGrange County, Indiana, has had three recent outbreaks. The county has been an avian flu hotspot in the past six months. Finally Lee County, Florida, reported a small backyard outbreak affecting 10 birds.
5. From the Corral: AVMA's 2026 depopulation guidelines for producers
By Dr. Temple Grandin
MeatPoultry.com
May 14, 2026
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published its new guidelines: The Depopulation of Animals 2026 Edition. Depopulation is used when large numbers of animals must be killed due to disease or some other emergency. The AVMA states "Depopulation may use slaughter or the euthanasia methods when animal numbers are low or conditions are contained, however, not all depopulation methods meet AVMA criteria for euthanasia."
The guidelines are open access and free to download and methods are distinguished by a 3-tier system. Many, but not all, Tier 1 methods will comply with AVMA euthanasia or Humane Slaughter Act methods. Use Tier 2 methods if it is not possible to implement Tier 1 methods. Tier 3 methods have "no evidence to support their use." The guidelines have separate sections for different types of animals. This overview is focused on farm animals and poultry.
When addressing cattle and bison, AVMA recognizes there could be problems disposing of carcasses from large feedlots. For bovids, the preferred Tier 1 method is to use a commercial slaughter plant. Other Tier 1 methods are close range gunshot and penetrating captive bolt. Barbiturates could also be used on small groups.
Tier 2 methods are long range gunshot, poll shot captive bolt, electrocution or water-based foam. The guidelines contain excellent diagrams of shooting locations. Tier 3 oral toxins (poisons) should never be used.
6. General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; Solicitation for Membership
Federal Register Volume 91, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)
Notices
Pages 27240-27241
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2026-09695
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket No. APHIS-2026-0101
General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan; Solicitation for Membership
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation for membership.
SUMMARY: We are giving notice that the Secretary of Agriculture is soliciting nominations for the election of regional members and their
alternates for the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
DATES: Consideration will be given to nominations received on or before June 30, 2026.
Full text: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-14/html/2026-09695.htm