1. USDA Confirms Presence of New World Screwworm in the United States
Animal Health Officials Working Quickly to Protect U.S. Livestock and Wildlife
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
June 3, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC- JUNE 03, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.
The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.
"All models showed New World Screwworm entering the country in 2025; however, thanks to the hard work across the entire Trump administration and our industry, state, and local partners, we were able to buy time for this moment. Protecting our livestock industry is a national security issue of the utmost importance, and USDA is wasting no time in taking action," said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. "USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico. The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again."
USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the United States, following the strategies and actions outlined in the NWS Response Playbook. This includes:
Forming a unified Incident Command Team with the Texas Animal Health Commission and deploying response personnel to the area;
Establishing a 20 km infested zone around the detection and implementing quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance in this area;
Expediting targeted release of sterile NWS flies by immediately deploying ground release chambers in the area, in addition to the 4 million sterile flies per week already being released aerially in the area;
Increasing trapping for NWS flies along the border and just outside of the dispersal area;
Implementing NWS surveillance and management strategies in wildlife; and
Conducting targeted outreach in the local area.
Additionally, USDA's National Veterinary Stockpile stands ready to assist, and will provide resources including treatments, equipment, and logistics support the response as needed.
USDA will continue to work with state departments of agriculture, animal health officials, industry, and producers to mitigate economic impacts of restrictions as much as possible, including negotiating with our trading partners to regionalize any trade restrictions on live animals, limiting them to defined geographic areas.
NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including in rare cases people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal's living flesh.
USDA urges residents in the area to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge immediately.
While not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention.
The U.S. food supply is safe. Screwworms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food sources. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe and properly labeled. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), FSIS inspection personnel must inspect all eligible animal species unless they are exempt or covered by a state inspection program.
Any evidence of screwworm infestation in an animal would be identified during these inspections, and any contaminated product from an affected animal would not be allowed to enter the food supply.
For more than a year, USDA has led a unified response to NWS. As the lead coordinating agency, USDA has deployed advanced surveillance systems and supported robust cross-border response efforts in Mexico and Central America to combat the pest and push NWS away from the United States. These efforts have bought time for USDA to increase domestic preparedness efforts.
2. FDA approves first generic ketoprofen injectable for fever control in cattle with BRD
The supplemental approval expands KetoMed's existing label to include a new species and indication, offering veterinarians a generic alternative to the brand-name Ketofen.
Author(s)Abi Bautista-Alejandre, Assistant Editor
DVM360.com
June 3, 2026
The FDA has granted supplemental approval for ketoprofen injectable solution (KetoMed; Bimedia Animal Health Ltd) for the control of fever associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle, marking the first generic approval of a ketoprofen injectable for this indication.
BRD, commonly referred to as "shipping fever pneumonia," is an infectious respiratory condition in cattle. The newly approved indication covers use in beef heifers, beef steers, beef calves at least 2 months old, beef bulls, replacement dairy heifers, and dairy bulls.
KetoMed was originally approved by the FDA in 2021 for the alleviation of inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders in horses. This supplemental approval expands its labeled use to include BRD-related pyrexia in cattle.
3. Colorado Quarter Horse Euthanized After Contracting EIA; Florida Horse Tests Positive for Strangles; 35 Horses Exposed; Three Wisconsin Horses Test Positive for Influenza;
New Jersey Oldenburg Gelding Tests Positive for EHV-1
Colorado Quarter Horse Euthanized After Contracting EIA
The horse lived in Weld County and was tested due to exposure to a positive horse.
EDCC Health Watch
Equus Magazine
June 3, 2026
On May 26, a 10-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for racing in Weld County, Colorado, tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). The horse was tested due to exposure to an EIA-positive horse a year and a half ago.
The gelding was euthanized. Twenty-seven horses have been exposed.
Florida Horse Tests Positive for Strangles; 35 Horses Exposed
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
June 3, 2026
One horse at a stable in Broward County, Florida, has tested positive for strangles, marking the state's 10th confirmed strangles case of 2026.
The sick horse's premises and one epidemiologically linked premises have been quarantined. In total, 35 horses have been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1145257/florida-horse-tests-positive-for-strangles-35-horses-exposed/
Three Wisconsin Horses Test Positive for Influenza
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
June 3, 2026
Three horses in Wisconsin have tested positive for equine influenza, and one of the three horses has also tested positive for strangles.
In Polk County, a 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare was confirmed positive for equine influenza on May 29. Two additional cases are suspected.
In Dane County, a 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare tested positive for equine influenza on May 30. Also in Dane County, a 5-year-old Miniature Horse gelding tested positive for both influenza and strangles on June 1.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1145252/3-wisconsin-horses-test-positive-for-influenza/
New Jersey Oldenburg Gelding Tests Positive for EHV-1
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
June 3, 2026
An 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding in Burlington County, New Jersey, has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The horse and 18 exposed horses on the premises are under quarantine. There has been no recent horse movement within this herd, making the risk of disease spread from this case very low.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1145250/new-jersey-oldenburg-gelding-tests-positive-for-ehv-1/
4. Five Swine Diseases You Need to Watch Right Now
Learn why "business as usual" isn't enough when facing evolving pathogens. Here are five key diseases that demand increased vigilance and diagnostic precision today.
By Jennifer Shike
Pork Business
June 2, 2026
Disease doesn't respect borders, and busy producers don't have time to be global epidemiologists. That's why the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) serves a critical role as the U.S. pork industry's eyes on the horizon, tracking emerging threats across the world so producers can stay focused on the farm without losing sight of the future.
From New World screwworm (NWS) making headlines as it creeps closer to the U.S. border to new serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) striking in new parts of the world, the threats are real and preparedness is key. Lisa Becton, associate director of SHIC, shares the top five diseases on her mind that SHIC is monitoring right now.
Includes: FMD, New World Screwworm, African Swine Fever, Pseudorabies and PRRS.
Full text: https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/5-swine-diseases-you-need-watch-right-now
5. Jessica McArt named dean of College of Veterinary Medicine [Cornell]
By Krishna Ramanujan
Cornell Chronicle
June 2, 2026
Dr. Jessica McArt, DVM '07, Ph.D. '13, has been named the Austin O. Hooey Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), effective July 15. Her appointment was approved May 20 by the Cornell Board of Trustees' Executive Committee and ratified June 2 by the State University of New York's Board of Trustees.
McArt, professor of ambulatory and production medicine and chair of the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences in CVM, will succeed Dr. Lorin Warnick, Ph.D. '94. He has served as dean since 2016, following a year as interim dean, and plans to return to research and teaching at Cornell.
"Jessica is the right person to lead our world-class College of Veterinary Medicine into the future as we face new opportunities and challenges," said Provost Kavita Bala. "I am deeply grateful to Lorin for his outstanding leadership, and I look forward to working with Jessica to continue to grow CVM's research, teaching and outreach mission. She has the commitment and expertise to enhance the college's reputation as one of the premier veterinary programs in the world."
Full text: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/06/jessica-mcart-named-dean-college-veterinary-medicine
6. CFIA Revises Livestock Traceability Plan After Industry Feedback, Shelves New Cattle Reporting Requirements [Canada]
By Ingrid Jones
The Daily Scrum News
June 3, 2026
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has revised its proposed livestock traceability regulations following months of consultations with producers, industry organizations and provincial governments. While several new requirements for sheep, goats, cervids and pigs are moving forward, the federal agency has decided not to proceed with proposed movement reporting requirements for cattle and bison at this time.
The decision marks a significant adjustment to the original proposal and reflects concerns raised by Canada's cattle sector. Traceability systems are designed to help officials quickly identify, track and contain animal disease outbreaks by providing accurate information about where animals have been located and moved. Maintaining that capability is considered essential for protecting animal health, preserving consumer confidence and maintaining access to domestic and international agricultural markets.
The most notable change is the decision to pause new cattle and bison movement reporting requirements. Although the CFIA did not release a detailed breakdown of industry concerns, producer groups have long expressed reservations about additional reporting obligations, administrative costs and the practical challenges of tracking large volumes of livestock movements across Canada's extensive cattle industry. Many operations involve animals moving between ranches, auction marts, feedlots, community pastures and processing facilities, creating concerns about the amount of paperwork that could be generated under expanded reporting rules.
Large Animal Veterinarian Shortage Remains a Growing Concern
More than 500 U.S. counties currently face shortages of large animal veterinarians, according to USDA.
By Neal Burnette-Irwin
RFDTV.com
June 3, 2026
BOISE, Idaho - Large animal veterinarians have warned for years about a growing shortage across rural America.
Dexton Lake with Idaho Farm Bureau says lawmakers are looking at ways to get veterinarians to return to the state after schooling.
"Utah State University has opened its vet program, but they're also working on opening their building, and, as a result, their class size will double from 40 to 80 students. And so, we see this as an opportunity to be able to get into Utah's program because Idaho's a big state and not everybody wants to go clear to Washington state. There are folks who would prefer to go to Utah State, and so that'll be a conversation that we have next year."
According to USDA, more than 500 counties across the United States currently face shortages of large animal veterinarians. The agency says the issue spans 46 states and is at its highest level since 2010.
Full text: https://www.rfdtv.com/large-animal-veterinarian-shortage-remains-a-growing-concern
Farm animal welfare rules might be rolled back by Congress
By Kevin Hardy
KNOPnews2.com
June 3, 2026
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) - Congress is looking to roll back state animal welfare laws as it wrangles over reauthorization of the federal farm bill.
The farm bill, which Congress generally reworks every five years, includes money and federal rules for food assistance programs, farm subsidies, and other ag-related programs.
A pending version of the legislation includes the Save Our Bacon Act, which would block states from regulating the raising of livestock. The measure takes direct aim at California's Proposition 12, which requires farms to meet specific standards providing animals freedom of movement, cage-free confinement and minimum floor space.
A key component of California's law effectively bans hog sow farms from using gestation crates - pens so small that mother pigs can't even turn around. Currently, at least 15 states ban battery cages for egg-laying hens, gestation crates for sows or veal crates for calves.