1. Pseudorabies confirmed in U.S. commercial swine herd
Iowa first known case in a commercial operation since 2004; Wild boar herd from an outdoor facility in Texas also tests positive.
USDA-APHIS Press Release
National Hog Farmer
April 30, 2026
Washington, D.C., April 30, 2026-Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed via ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and latex agglutination testing (LAT) a detection of antibodies to pseudorabies virus (PRV) in a small commercial swine facility in Iowa. This confirmation was a result of routine testing, not pre-movement surveillance.
Initial traceback indicates that the five affected boars came from an outdoor facility in Texas. Animals from that herd also tested positive for pseudorabies. APHIS is working with officials in Iowa and Texas to expand traceback efforts and identify any additional potential exposures.
This marks the first known case of pseudorabies in commercial swine since 2004, when it was eradicated from the commercial swine industry. PRV is still prevalent in feral swine populations in the U.S. and there is occasional spillover of infection to outdoor production herds where contact with feral swine is possible. APHIS is working closely with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Texas Animal Health Commission to conduct traceback to better understand the detection and prevent further spread.
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 and/or swine genetics. Pseudorabies is a contagious viral disease of livestock and other mammals. However, pigs are the only natural hosts. While pseudorabies virus can infect most mammals, humans, horses, and birds are considered resistant.
2. UF And Ohio State Partnering To Support Rural Veterinary Medicine
From The University of Findlay
April 28, 2026
The University of Findlay (UF) and The Ohio State University announces a new partnership to support rural veterinary medicine in Ohio. Part of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Protect Health in Ohio initiative (Protect OHIO) the new partnership works to strengthen the recruitment of students pursuing careers in large animal veterinary medicine, formalizing the pipeline between University of Findlay and Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program (LARVMP) invites eligible University of Findlay students into the initiative through a partnership to identify, mentor, and prepare undergraduates for future careers in rural veterinary practice. The shared efforts will focus specific attention on animal science and equine medicine as well as the health and wellbeing of livestock to develop future veterinary leaders in Ohio.
"UF is honored to have been chosen to participate in this program with OSU. This new agreement connects our commitment to undergraduates pursing acceptance into veterinary school with our friends at The Ohio State University College Veterinary School. Our shared efforts will result in equipping students for meaningful careers and a more sustainable agriculture industry in Ohio," commented Lok Chong Lew Yan Voon, PhD and dean of the College of Sciences.
"We're pleased to formalize this partnership with the University of Findlay, which aligns closely with our Protect OHIO initiative and our commitment to strengthening rural veterinary medicine across the state," said Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Rita Jean Wolf Endowed Dean at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "By expanding the Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program to include Findlay students, we can grow a strong pipeline of qualified candidates who are prepared to serve Ohio's rural communities."
As part of this program, each institution is committed to expanding educational opportunities and enrolling more students to address the shortage of veterinarians in rural communities and safeguarding Ohio's agricultural economy. Students will gain early preparation for careers in large animal veterinary medicine at University of Findlay before entering into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.
Full text: https://wfin.com/local-news/uf-and-ohio-state-partnering-to-support-rural-veterinary-medicine/
3. Wallowa County seeing largest Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease spike among livestock in Oregon's history, state veterinarian describes
By Garrett Christensen
Elkhorn Media Group
April 29, 2026
WALLOWA COUNTY - Recently, Elkhorn Media Group reported on an ongoing spike in Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD), in Wallowa County. The midge/insect born illness is currently resulting in a devastating number of stillborn and neurologically stunted calves in local cattle herds following an abnormal proliferation of the disease among livestock last summer and fall.
In previous interviews, local ranchers and Dr. Randy Greenshields with Double Arrow Veterinarian Clinic gave a fairly thorough description of the disease's likely spread (a white tale die-off combined with unstable environmental factors) and the current damages inflicted on Wallowa County's cattle industry. However, Oregon State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz with the Oregon Department of Agriculture recently reached out and offered additional information on the EHD situation and what it means for both Wallowa County and the state of Oregon.
While largely echoing the local understanding of EHD vectors, Scholz did offer some new insights. For a more minor correction, Scholz noted that, while EHD is harbored by Midges, it can be transmitted via other biting insects.
4. Texas A&M AgriLife launches national equine metabolic health survey
Researchers seek input from horse owners to better understand prevalence and management of disorders
By Kay Ledbetter
AgriLife Today
April 28, 2026
A Texas A&M AgriLife survey of horse owners and industry professionals across the nation seeks to quantify the prevalence of equine endocrine disease, how affected horses are diagnosed and managed, and owners' knowledge of these conditions.
The U.S. lacks comprehensive data in this area, according to the survey creators, Erica Macon, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research equine scientist and assistant professor, Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science; and Yatta Boakari, DVM, Ph.D., assistant professor of theriogenology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Service Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.
They are collaborating with Alisa Herbst, Ph.D., postdoctoral associate, Rutgers University; Carleigh Fedorka, Ph.D., assistant professor, Colorado State University; and Jamie Norris, Ph.D., postdoctoral scholar, University of California, Davis.
In the national survey, Equine Endocrine Disease: Diagnosis, Management and Owner Knowledge, the two researchers are targeting the diagnosis of equine endocrine disorders, such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, PPID, and equine metabolic syndrome, EMS, or insulin resistance, IR/dysregulation, ID.
Push for raw milk intensifies across the US, despite illness outbreaks and scientists' warnings
By Laura Ungar and Jonel Aleccia
Associated Press
April 29, 2026
Backers of raw milk are pushing to make the potentially dangerous product more widely available and easier to obtain, even as a new disease outbreak - one of at least five in the past year - sickens U.S. children.
More than three dozen bills supporting raw milk have been introduced in statehouses across the nation, The Associated Press found. A growing number of states are making it legal to sell. Dairy farmers say they can barely keep it in stock, even though prices can exceed $10 or $20 a gallon.
Top government officials and internet influencers are helping drive this momentum. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downed shots of raw milk at the White House last May and previously promised to halt "aggressive suppression" of the product. On social media, posts about raw milk have surged in recent months, often touting unproven claims about its health benefits.
All of this alarms public health officials, who have long warned that unpasteurized milk can harbor risky germs. The current outbreak - tied to raw milk cheddar cheese from California-based Raw Farm - has sickened nine people with E. coli, half of them children younger than 5. One victim developed a serious complication that can impair kidney function for life.
Full text: https://apnews.com/article/raw-milk-legislation-outbreak-02c67adf7845d188c41ab0af06e97869
AVMA Board updates raw milk policy to include HPAI
By R. Scott Nolen and Christine Won
AVMA News
April 30, 2026
The AVMA Board of Directors (BOD) approved several policy revisions along with a future dues increase during its regular meeting, held April 10 at Association headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. AVMA Board Chair Dr. Sandy Willis presided over the meeting.
Raw milk and diets
The BOD approved updates to the AVMA policy on "Raw Milk" as recommended by the Food Safety Advisory Committee to include the risk of exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) from consuming raw milk products. In addition, the revised policy recognizes that such products may be labeled as pet food but may be consumed by humans or animals.
The revised policy reads in part: "Consumption of raw milk may cause diseases, including but not limited to brucellosis, campylobacteriosis, coxiellosis (Q fever), cryptosporidiosis, listeriosis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and E. coli infection. These pathogens can be shed directly from the animals or introduced via environmental contamination during the milking and packaging process. These pathogens also can be difficult to detect. Therefore, the AVMA recommends that fluid nonhuman mammalian milk sold or distributed be pasteurized and all dairy products be produced under a scientifically validated food safety program. This includes products labelled as pet food but ultimately consumed by humans or animals."
Full text: https://www.avma.org/news/avma-board-updates-raw-milk-policy-include-hpai
6. Wisconsin Gelding Tests Positive for Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
April 30, 2026
On April 17, a gelding at a private facility in Oneida County, Wisconsin, tested positive for strangles. The gelding was asymptomatic and is now recovering. One additional horse has been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1144151/wisconsin-gelding-tests-positive-for-strangles-3/