1. The News Alerts will return Monday July 6, 2026.
'Infection zones,' new screwworm cases have border residents on edge [TX]
By: Sandra Sanchez
Border Report
July 1, 2026
RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (Border Report) - Starr County Judge Eloy Vera says another case of New World screwworm was found late Monday about 100 miles away in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
"It seems to be moving our way. So we're very concerned about that," Vera told Border Report on Tuesday at a public information session held to help ranchers and residents better understand New World screwworm.
The session, held at South Texas College's Starr Campus in Rio Grande City, was packed with people wanting to know rules and regulations after the northern part of Starr County this week was put in what the Texas Animal Health Commission calls the "infested zone."
New Jersey imposes animal import restrictions to guard against New World screwworm [edited]
By Jay Edwards
WRNJRadio.com
July 1, 2026
TRENTON, N.J. - The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has implemented new import requirements for animals entering the state from areas affected by the New World screwworm in an effort to protect livestock, pets and public health.
The restrictions, which took effect immediately, were developed in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health following the recent detection of the New World screwworm in Texas.
Under the new requirements, domestic animals that are infested with or suspected of being infested with New World screwworm, or that originate from a quarantined premises, are prohibited from entering New Jersey.
Animals coming from other locations within affected states must undergo a veterinary examination within five days before entering New Jersey. The examination must be documented on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
In addition, dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic pets originating from states with an infested zone or adjacent surveillance zone must be treated by an accredited veterinarian with a systemic product effective against the pest before entering New Jersey.
3. FFAR Rapid Funding to Explore Disease-Resistant Poultry for Avian Influenza Control
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)
July 1, 2026
DAVIS, Calif. - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to cause major losses for poultry farms around the world, killing millions of commercial and wild birds, disrupting food supplies, and increasing concerns on transmission among multiple animal species. In response, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the University of California, Davis, are investing $299,938 in a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to identify and harness natural disease resistance in chickens as a new tool to combat avian influenza.
Current approaches, including vaccines, can help manage outbreaks. But they face challenges related to availability, speed of deployment and long-term effectiveness. This research project will explore whether some chickens naturally resist infection better than others and how that resistance could strengthen commercial poultry flocks.
"Producers need tools to mitigate their losses, and FFAR's rapid funding is helping to develop the solutions they need," said Dr. Miriam Martin LeValley, FFAR scientific program manager. "Identifying whether some chickens naturally resist infection could help us craft an effective long-term HPAI response."
4. Idaho is American ag's bird flu hotspot
By Kyle Odegard
Capital Press
June 30, 2026
Idaho has been American agriculture's hotspot for highly pathogenic avian influenza since mid-June.
During the week of June 22-28, Idaho had eight new cases in dairy herds as well as a poultry farm in Canyon County with 3,000 affected birds.
"It's just surging now," said Scott Leibsle, Idaho state veterinarian.
The poultry operation was affected by a nearby dairy farm, he added.
In the past 30 days ending June 29, Idaho has had 40 confirmed cases of HPAI in dairy herds.
Across the U.S., there have only been five other cases in the past month, with three in Utah and two in Texas.
Full text: https://capitalpress.com/2026/06/30/idaho-is-american-ags-bird-flu-hotspot/
5. Watch the June 17, 2026, ZOHU Call Video
CDC
July 1, 2026
Presentation:
Food Adulteration: Understanding the Largest Case of Intentional Adulteration: Melamine in Animal Food and Infant Formula
Renate Reimschuessel VMD, Ph.D.
Retired, Director of FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network Food and Drug Administration
Center for Veterinary Medicine
https://www.cdc.gov/zohu-call/webinars/june-26.html?ACSTrackingID=DM156329&ACSTrackingLabel=Watch %20video%20of%20June%2017%2C%202026%2C%20ZOHU%20Call&deliveryName=DM156329
6. Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and Regulations
Federal Register Volume 91, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 1, 2026)
Notices
Pages 39974-39975
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2026-13285
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket No. APHIS-2026-0662
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and Regulations
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
Page 39975
ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act and
regulations.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 31, 2026.
Full text: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-01/html/2026-13285.htm