1. Texas Releases Additional New World Screwworm Infested Zones
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
September 3, 2026
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has released additional New World screwworm (NWS) infested zones in Texas, with concurrence from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This action comes after State and Federal subject matter experts confirmed that the areas met all requirements outlined in APHIS' New World Screwworm Response Playbook for zone release.
The zone(s) being released are:
Infested zone 01.B
Infested zone 05
Releasing infested zones removes NWS-related movement requirements for livestock and pets within the released areas. All interstate movement requirements and international export requirements will still apply.
Several infested zones in Texas remain in place, and APHIS continues to work closely with TAHC to evaluate conditions for future zone releases. All Texas animal owners should visit the TAHC website to ensure they have the latest information about the location of infested zones, movement requirements, and zone-specific requirements.
APHIS and TAHC remain committed to supporting continuity of business for producers and will continue applying science-based surveillance, early detection, and rapid response measures to ensure that areas are released as soon as the criteria have been met.
2. Anthrax Confirmed in Western South Dakota Cattle Herd
By Tamara Chibe
KOTATV.com
September 3, 2026
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - South Dakota has confirmed its first case of anthrax in cattle this year, after a cow-calf herd in Meade County began experiencing illness and deaths.
State officials believe the cattle were exposed while grazing in Butte County before the herd was moved to Meade County. The diagnosis was confirmed by South Dakota State University's Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.
The South Dakota Animal Industry Board has quarantined the herd and notified nearby livestock producers. Adult cattle in the affected herd have also been vaccinated.
State Veterinarian Dr. Mendel Miller said quick veterinary attention is important when anthrax is suspected, noting that vaccination can help protect herds.
Full text: https://www.kotatv.com/2026/09/03/anthrax-confirmed-western-south-dakota-cattle-herd/
3. Equine Rhinitis Virus Reported in Oregon
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
September 3, 2026
An attending veterinarian has reported that one horse in Josephine County, Oregon, is sick with equine rhinitis virus. One additional horse has been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147020/equine-rhinitis-virus-reported-in-oregon/
4. West Bend couple find four dead deer in 10 days as DNR warns of spread of EHD [WI]
The DNR said there have been 600 reports in Washington County and 100 reports in Waukesha County.
By TJ Dysart
WISN.com
September 3, 2026
Dead deer are being discovered around homes in Washington and Waukesha counties, with state wildlife officials identifying epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), a virus spread by small flies, as the likely cause.
Michelle Nick, who lives in West Bend, said her property was once a frequent gathering spot for deer, with dozens visible in her front and back yards.
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"Anytime of day you could look out the window, and you'd see the deer," Nick said.
That changed last month.
"In the past couple weeks, the only deer we've found are dead deer," she said.
Nick said the first dead deer appeared on her property on Aug. 22, and the number has continued to grow.
5. Regional Animal Health Lab in Harrisonburg is expanding [VA]
The project includes expansions at the Harrisonburg, Warrenton, and Lynchburg labs.
By Jeff Ishee
RockTownNow.com
September 3, 2026
HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) - Virginia agriculture officials marked a major upgrade to the state's animal disease-testing network this week, breaking ground on expansion projects at three regional laboratories that support food safety, livestock producers, and public health.
State and local leaders joined Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Katie Frazier at the Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory to launch the multi-site effort, funded by a $13.1 million appropriation approved by the General Assembly in 2022. The project includes expansions at the Harrisonburg, Warrenton, and Lynchburg labs.
Frazier said the facilities play a critical role in Virginia's multi-billion-dollar agricultural sector, providing diagnostic and regulatory testing for veterinarians, food manufacturers, farmers, and pet owners. VDACS operates four regional labs that conduct bacteriology, virology, serology, parasitology, pathology, molecular testing, necropsies, and food-product safety sampling.
Full text: https://rocktownnow.com/news/218812-regional-animal-health-lab-in-harrisonburg-is-expanding/
6. Rural Wisconsin counties face critical shortage of veterinary care for farm animals, pets [edited]
A new state law aims to recruit more veterinarians to work in rural areas by helping them to pay off student loan debt
By Richelle Wilson
Wisconsin Public Radio
September 2, 2026
Rural communities throughout Wisconsin are facing an ongoing shortage of veterinarians, leaving farmers and pet owners with limited options for animal care, especially in emergency situations.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture identified a record 243 rural veterinary shortage areas across the country. This included 16 Wisconsin counties, mostly concentrated in the northern and northwest parts of the state.
To help retain more of UW's veterinary students and send them to areas with critical need, the state passed bipartisan legislation earlier this year creating a veterinary loan repayment program. The law went into effect in April but will not be funded until it goes through the state's budget process.