1. SHIC, FFAR & Pork Checkoff Issue Second H5N1 Swine Risk RFP
Fdn. for Food & Agriculture Research
January 29, 2026
MANHATTAN, Kan. (Jan. 29, 2026) - The?Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), in partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the?Pork Checkoff, is issuing a second request for proposals (RFP) for research addressing the H5N1 risk to swine.
H5N1 influenza, also known as bird flu, was prioritized in 2024 as an emerging disease threat for the U.S. pork industry due to the growing number of diverse mammalian species susceptible to the infection. In response, FFAR, SHIC and Pork Checkoff funded the $4 million H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the U.S. swine herd.
The first round of proposal solicitation, selection and funding, announced in July 2025, is complete. The partners are now inviting a second round of proposal submissions from qualified researchers for projects that address: 1) surveillance, 2) introduction risks, 3) caretakers, 4) biosecurity, 5) pork safety, 6) production impact and 7) business continuity. Projects that demonstrate the most urgent and timely completion, provide the greatest value to pork producers and show efficient use of funds will be prioritized for funding. Proposals to expand work funded under the first RFP that aligns with the research priorities of this solicitation will also be considered.
Total funding available for this RFP is $1.8 million.
2. FDA Approves First Generic Fenbendazole Oral Suspension Dewormer for Beef and Dairy Cattle, Goats
CVM Updates
January 22, 2026
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Defendazole (fenbendazole) oral suspension to treat and control various species of lungworms, stomach worms and intestinal worms in beef and dairy cattle, and to treat and control two species of stomach worms in goats.
Defendazole contains the same active ingredient (fenbendazole) as the approved brand name drug product, Safe-Guard (NADA 128-620), which was first approved for both cattle and goats in 1994. The FDA determined that Defendazole oral suspension is bioequivalent to the brand name product.
When Defendazole is used in cattle according to label directions, there is an 8-day withdrawal time for cattle and a 48-hour milk discard time. For goats, there is a 6-day withdrawal period.
Defendazole is available over the counter in 1 L and 5 L bottles. Dosage is 2.3 mg/lb (5mg/kg) body weight for beef and dairy cattle, and 2.3 mg/lb (5 mg/kg) body weight for goats.
3. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Commercial Poultry Flock in Hart County
Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Press Release
January 28, 2026
HART COUNTY, GA - Today, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in Hart County, Georgia. This marks the third detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia in 2026 and the sixth detection overall since the nationwide outbreak began in February 2022. Out of an abundance of caution and due to severe winter weather, on site operations at Hart 01 began on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026, and are being conducted concurrently with GDA's operations in Walker County.
"With severe cold weather persisting and migratory waterfowl continuing to pass through our state, it is not unexpected to see an uptick in HPAI cases. Biosecurity is our best defense against HPAI, and we're encouraging producers around Georgia to ensure they continue to implement Gold Standard biosecurity protocols," said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. "Our teams are working around the clock to contain the virus, protect our state's poultry flock, and minimize any impacts to other producers and Georgia consumers. There is no threat to the safety of our food supply at this time, and no deceased birds ever entered the supply chain."
4. Equine Infectious Anemia Confirmed in Wichita County Horses
Texas Animal Health Commission Press Release
January 29, 2026
AUSTIN, TX - Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed equine infectious anemia (EIA) in three quarter horses on a Wichita County premises January 21, 2026. These are the first confirmed cases of EIA in Texas this year.
After regulatory testing was performed to meet TAHC requirements, the horses were confirmed EIA positive. The premises has been quarantined and will not be released until the TAHC's requirements are met. TAHC staff are working closely with the owner to monitor potentially exposed horses and implement biosecurity measures.
"EIA cases in Texas continue to rise due to human-facilitated transmissions," said Dr. Bud Dinges, TAHC executive director and state veterinarian. "This blood-borne disease can be prevented by not reusing needles, medical equipment, or other instruments that could transmit EIA from an infected horse to a healthy horse very quickly. Equine stakeholders should always use the highest standards of animal husbandry and stick to a biosecurity plan to reduce the risk of this disease in their animals."
EIA is an incurable, infectious viral disease spread through blood-to-blood contact, not through proximity or direct contact. The virus can be transmitted from an infected equine to an uninfected equine by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies, deerflies, or stable flies and by people using contaminated medical equipment, such as needles, syringes, IV sets, and medications. When equipment is contaminated with blood from an infected horse, it can spread the disease to healthy, unexposed horses when used again.
Full text: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2026/2026-01-29_EIA-WichitaCo.pdf
5. Study highlights ASF virus impact on pigs' immune system
By Alistair Driver
Pig World
January 29, 2026
A new study has highlighted the early loss of immune cells in pigs infected with the ASF virus (ASFV), possibly explaining why vaccines remain elusive and the disease is almost always fatal.
Writing in Discovery Immunology, scientists at the Pirbright Institute explained how, using highly inbred Babraham pigs to reduce genetic variability, they examined early virus spread and immune cell dynamics following infection through routes that closely mimic natural exposure.
They found ASFV quickly disrupts immune responses, which are key to sensing and controlling infections. "This early loss of key immune cell populations helps explain why pigs infected with highly virulent ASFV rarely survive" Dr Priscilla Tng, from Pirbright's African Swine Fever Vaccinology Group, said.
The findings suggest the speed and breadth of immune disruption caused by virulent ASFV strains may be a defining feature of acute disease. Understanding more about this could hold the key to the design of future vaccines, they conclude.
Full text: https://www.pig-world.co.uk/news/study-highlights-asf-virus-impact-on-pigs-immune-system.html
6. Treating disease early vs. precisely
K-State beef cattle experts weigh opportunity cost, disease progression and reassessment when making treatment decisions.
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Extension news service
Beef Magazine
January 29, 2026
When a calf looks "off," the clock starts ticking. But should cattle producers treat the calf immediately or wait for clearer clinical signs?
According to Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts, the answer isn't simple - and pretending it is can be costly to the animal's health and the effectiveness of the treatment.
On a recent episode of BCI Cattle Chat, veterinarians tackled one of the most common - and challenging - questions producers face: are we better off treating disease early or treating it precisely?
"There isn't a perfect answer," veterinarian Bob Larson said. "I'm not always good at identifying disease early, but sometimes if you wait too long, you're already behind. Every interaction has an opportunity cost."
Producers are often taught to improve treatment precision by waiting for clear, measurable symptoms. Some diseases progress rapidly, where early intervention matters more than perfect diagnosis. Others may benefit from additional observation to avoid unnecessary treatment. The challenge lies in recognizing which situation you're facing - often with incomplete information.
Full text: https://www.beefmagazine.com/livestock-management/treating-disease-early-vs-precisely