1. Vesicular stomatitis detected in La Plata and Archuleta counties as Colorado cases expand
KiowaCountyPress.net
July 21, 2026
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has confirmed new detections of Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV) in La Plata and Archuleta counties in 2026, bringing the disease to two additional Colorado counties.
Both newly affected premises are private residences where equids are the only livestock present. On one premises, one of three horses is presenting with lesions on the lips and tongue. On the second premises, two horses living with several mules are also presenting with lip and tongue lesions. Both infections are believed to have been locally acquired.
Cases were examined by accredited veterinarians who collected samples, reported to the State Veterinarian's Office, and submitted samples for testing to Colorado State University. Both premises have been placed under state quarantine.
The previously quarantined premises in Montezuma and Montrose counties have been released from quarantine.
2. FFAR Rapid Funding Explores Genetic Immunity to Avian Influenza
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research Press Release
July 22, 2026
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to threaten the U.S. poultry industry, causing billions of dollars in economic losses while disrupting food production and increasing costs for farmers and consumers. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), Iowa State University, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) are investing $300,000 through the Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) program to identify genetic factors in birds that are relevant in the host response against H5N1 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses. This research aims to illuminate pathways to modulate the expression of specific host genes to mitigate the avian influenza burden.
Although biosecurity measures remain the primary means of combating avian influenza, the developments since 2022 demonstrate the need for new approaches. There is an increasing request for the deployment of vaccines; however, concerns remain about vaccine effectiveness and virus evolution.
This research is identifying genes involved in birds' immune responses that influence how the virus infects and replicates. Understanding the role of genetics could better inform treatment protocols, improve disease resistance and strengthen future disease prevention strategies.
Led by Dr. Joaquin Caceres, assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, the multidisciplinary research team is using advanced genomic tools and novel laboratory models to better understand how birds respond to H5N1 and H7N9 infections. The project is identifying promising genetic targets for new therapies, supporting the development of next-generation vaccines, and laying the foundation for breeding poultry with greater natural resistance to avian influenza.
Full text: https://foundationfar.org/news/ffar-rapid-funding-explores-genetic-immunity-to-avian-influenza/
3. FDA Launches Pilot Program to Incentivize Manufacturing of Animal Drug Products in the U.S.
FDA CVM
July 21, 2026
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) today announced the launch of a pilot program designed to encourage and strengthen domestic manufacturing of animal drug products and active ingredients. This initiative reflects CVM's commitment to supporting a resilient veterinary pharmaceutical supply chain, preventing animal drug shortages, and advancing the FDA's broader efforts to increase American pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The veterinary pharmaceutical supply chain, like its human drug counterpart, relies significantly on active ingredients and finished products manufactured outside the United States. The new pilot program is intended to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions by prioritizing reviews of animal drug applications where both finished drug products and the active ingredients are manufactured in the U.S.
Key Incentives
Priority Review Consideration for Complete CMC Technical Sections
This would include priority review consideration for complete Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) technical sections when both the finished drug product and its active ingredient(s) are manufactured in the United States.
Review of a Second Domestic Active Ingredient Source in Original Application Submission
Eligible sponsors may include a second domestic source of active ingredient up front as part of an original application or technical section submission, if at least one of the sources is domestically manufactured. This eliminates the need to submit a post-approval supplemental application.
4. Select Pennsylvania hunters get new pilot way to test deer for CWD
By Brian Whipkey
GoErie.com
July 20, 2026
A select group of Pennsylvania hunters will have a new way to test their deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) as part of a pilot project that allows hunters to mail their samples to a laboratory.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has sent letters to random hunters across Pennsylvania asking if they would like to have a sampling kit and to provide feedback on the program.
"We're in Year 3 of trying to develop this program," Jeannine Fleegle, wildlife biologist with the PGC's deer and elk section, said in a telephone interview.
"It will allow hunters to collect the appropriate tissue for testing," she said.
It's not a field test. The hunter will collect the lymph nodes and half of the lower jaw of the deer to mail to the agency's testing laboratory. The sampling kits include directions, a link to instructional videos and a prepaid envelope to ship the samples.
5. We Need More Rural Veterinarians. Are We Looking in the Wrong Place?
The biggest challenge facing the rural veterinary workforce shortage may not be getting students into veterinary school, but helping them reach the applicant stage.
By Andrea Bedford
Bovine Veterinarian
July 21, 2026
Finding enough veterinarians to serve rural communities remains one of the profession's biggest workforce challenges. Veterinary colleges have expanded enrollment, practices continue to compete for food-animal veterinarians and organizations across the industry have invested in recruitment initiatives aimed at strengthening the rural workforce. Yet many communities continue to struggle to attract and retain veterinarians.
According to Dr. Lisa Greenhill, chief organizational health officer at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), the profession may be overlooking an important part of the problem. Greenhill has spent much of the past decade studying veterinary admissions and the educational pipeline that feeds the profession. Her most recent research, published in 2026, examined changing undergraduate enrollment trends and what they could mean for the future veterinary applicant pool. Greenhill spoke on a recent episode of the Have You Herd? podcast, suggesting the profession may need to rethink where it focuses its recruitment efforts.
Rather than asking how to recruit more rural veterinarians, Greenhill argues the more important question may be why fewer students reach the point of applying to veterinary school in the first place.
Full text: https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/we-need-more-rural-veterinarians-are-we-looking-wrong-place
6. World's first gene edited Culicoides biting midges open door for livestock disease research
By The Pirbright Institute
edited by Swati Mestri, reviewed by Robert Egan
Phys.org
July 20, 2026
Scientists have successfully edited the genome of biting midges, opening the door to new research on how these insects transmit disease. Culicoides biting midges are small blood-feeding insects responsible for spreading important vector-borne viruses such as bluetongue virus (BTV), Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), which cause major losses to livestock production worldwide. Despite their importance as disease vectors, Culicoides are among the smallest blood-feeding insects, just 1-4 mm (0.04-0.16 inches) long, making them difficult to study in the laboratory.
In Scientific Reports*, researchers from The Pirbright Institute explain how they used a CRISPR-based technique to modify the genome of Culicoides midges. The method involves injecting a mixture of Cas9 enzyme and guide RNA (gRNA) molecules into female insects. These components are taken up by their oocytes (eggs), where they act like molecular scissors, cutting DNA at specific target locations and inducing mutations.
[*See: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-59276-2 ]
Full text: https://phys.org/news/2026-07-world-gene-culicoides-midges-door.html