1. MDARD Announces Detection of Bovine Tuberculosis-Positive Herd in Iosco County
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Press Release
May 6, 2026
LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting a case of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a cattle herd from Iosco County. Following a bovine TB detection in an adult cow identified at a United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service-inspected processing plant, the animal was traced back to the Iosco County herd. The herd was subsequently tested, and additional bovine TB cases were found.
"Bovine TB is a complex and challenging disease, which is why we always need to fully utilize every tool we have to identify potential cases and take action to limit disease spread," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "At MDARD, together with agency partners, producers, and stakeholders, we are focused on elimination of bovine TB in Michigan's cattle herds. The protection of animal and public health from this disease takes all of us working together."
In the past, bovine TB-infected wild deer have been found within Iosco County, but this is the first time an infected cattle herd was detected. An epidemiological investigation is already underway to rule out the possibility of additional cases stemming from this affected herd. Whole genome sequencing will also occur to help determine the source of the infection.
2. Dairy farms in California may transmit H5N1 virus through multiple sources
Edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan
Public Library of Science (PLOS)
Phys.org
May 5, 2026
The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in over 700 herds of dairy cows in California, the largest dairy-producing state in the U.S. A study published in PLOS Biology led by Seema S. Lakdawala at Emory University School of Medicine, U.S. and Jason Lombard at Colorado State University, U.S. suggests that H5N1 is transmitted through multiple, previously unknown sources and that some H5N1 positive cows do not show clinical signs of infection.
H5N1 may spread on dairy farms through direct contact with unpasteurized milk, such as via contaminated milking equipment. However, the full picture of how the virus can be spread on farms with infected cows is unclear.
In order to better understand transmission routes of avian flu on dairy farms, researchers took air, farm wastewater, and milk samples on fourteen dairy farms testing positive for H5N1 across two different California regions between October 2024 and January 2025.
They tested all samples for the presence of virus and performed genome sequencing on detected virus to identify any genetic variants and mutations.
The researchers detected airborne virus from the exhaled breath of infected cows and in the dairy parlor, identified the presence of virus in the wastewater, and found a high prevalence of cows who tested positive for H5N1 despite being asymptomatic.
Full text: https://phys.org/news/2026-05-dairy-farms-california-transmit-h5n1.html
3. Mutations driving bird flu vaccine escape identified
Haemagglutinin residues shape antigenic diversity in H5 avian influenza viruses and influence vaccine effectiveness.
The Pirbright Institute
Feedstuffs
May 5, 2026
Research led by The Pirbright Institute has identified specific mutations in the haemagglutinin (HA) protein of H5 avian influenza viruses that significantly influence how well poultry vaccines work, providing insights that could improve global vaccine design and disease control strategies.
Since emerging in 1996, H5 avian influenza virus lineage A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (Gs/GD) has evolved into more than 30 genetically and antigenically distinct clades. Among these, clade 2.3.4.4b has become one of the most widespread and concerning, responsible for recent global outbreaks affecting domestic poultry, wild birds and an expanding range of mammalian hosts.
While vaccination remains a key strategy for controlling avian influenza in poultry and reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission to humans, the virus evolves rapidly, often leading to mismatches between vaccine strains and circulating field viruses. These differences can weaken vaccine protection and enable the virus to escape immune responses.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/poultry/mutations-driving-bird-flu-vaccine-escape-identified
4. Vermont documents rise in Eastern equine encephalitis cases in people, horses in 2023-24
By Mary Van Beusekom, MS
CIDRAP News
May 5, 2026
In 2023 and 2024, Vermont reported an increase in humans, horses, and mosquito pools that were positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a mosquito-borne disease with a 33% case-fatality rate, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Vermont health departments report.
For the study, published last week in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC researchers reviewed an investigation conducted by the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM).
Each June through October, VAAFM traps, identifies, and pools mosquitoes from about 100 sites in the state. VDH and CDC labs conduct weekly testing of mosquito pools and investigate EEE virus (EEEV) detections and suspected human and animal infections. Most US EEE cases occur along the Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, and Great Lakes.
"EEEV causes severe neuroinvasive disease in humans; although an EEE vaccine is available for horses, no human vaccine is currently licensed, and treatment is supportive," the researchers wrote. "Approximately one third of human cases are fatal, and many survivors experience long-term neurologic sequelae."
5. Appropriations bill would fund U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan
US SHIP important tool for demonstrating that pork operations are free of disease, can expedite the resumption of trade following an FAD outbreak.
National Pork Producers CouncilNational Pork Producers Council
National Hog Farmer
May 6, 2026
The House Committee on Appropriations approved fiscal year 2027 funding for programs related to the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and related agencies. Included was the National Pork Producers Council-backed, cooperative state-federal-industry program, the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, which helps improve the health and marketability of U.S. swine and pork products.
US SHIP sets consistent biosecurity, traceability and surveillance standards for foreign animal diseases and endemic diseases. Participants work to obtain certification that they are free from FADs, outside control areas and in the case of endemic diseases, a certification declaring a specific health status.
NPPC applauds the House Committee on Appropriation's passage of the agriculture spending bill, which also increases funds for agricultural research and USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and maintains funds for agricultural trade programs.
6. WC exploring partnership with Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine [OH]
WNewsJ.com
May 4, 2026
WILMINGTON, Ohio - Representatives from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine met with Wilmington College officials on Wednesday, April 29, to solidify a partnership designed to strengthen the recruitment of students pursuing careers in large animal veterinary medicine.
The OSU contingent also presented a town hall meeting that evening at WC, highlighting the Protect Ohio initiative. It adopts a "One Health" approach - integrating animal, human and environmental health - to address pressing needs across Ohio's rural communities and livestock sectors. State Sen. Kyle Koehler (District 10) shared his support for the initiative at the meeting.
Wilmington College and Ohio State Veterinary College officials discussed formalizing the pipeline between the two institutions in which WC graduates will pursue veterinary studies at OSU. The College has a long history of its pre-veterinary students successfully enrolling and earning veterinary medicine degrees through OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.