1. New World screwworm detected within 60 miles of US border
APHIS rolls out an updated field guide for screwworm infestation
By R. Scott Nolen and Malinda Larkin
AVMA News
May 12, 2026
Each new detection of New World screwworm (NWS) near the U.S.-Mexico border is a reminder that sustained vigilance remains essential.
Just this April, the flesh-eating parasite was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in a 4-day-old calf in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, roughly 62 miles south of the U.S. border.
In early May, Mexico had 1,717 active cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in animals, according to Mexico's National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA). The majority of cases were identified in cattle (913), though data also showed infestations in dogs (455), swine (136), and horses (88). (Courtesy of SENASICA)
"This is now the northernmost active case in Mexico, and that puts Texas squarely in the crosshairs," said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in an April 20 statement. "The fact that this detection falls within the current sterile fly dispersal zone tells you just how real and active this fight already is."
Full text: https://www.avma.org/news/new-world-screwworm-detected-within-60-miles-us-border
2. Intentional Agility: Is the Pork Industry Ready for the Next Swine Health Threat?
From global threats to farm-level biosecurity, here's how the pork industry is building a "slat-level" defense to protect your herd.
By Jennifer Shike
Pork Business
May 11, 2026
In the past five years, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) has transformed 115 research projects into a practical arsenal for U.S. pork producers. By leveraging Checkoff dollars and federal partnerships, SHIC's 2021-2025 program review proves that in an unpredictable global landscape, agility is the industry's best defense.
For SHIC Executive Director Megan Niederwerder, this review is more than a retrospective; it is a strategic roadmap. It marks an expansion of data gathering and diagnostic tool development that drives actionable change on the farm.
What "Moved the Needle" from 2021-2025?
A standout success of the last five years is the $2.5-million Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program. Launched in 2022, this initiative funded 24 projects specifically targeting nursery and grow-finish facilities.
"Typically, biosecurity protocols are less stringent outside of the sow farm or boar stud," Niederwerder says. "We wanted to turn our focus to nursery, grow-finish and harvest to consider how reducing the pathogen load in that population protects the whole industry. Even if they're not affected by the disease, those hogs can replicate the pathogen, we know that's a risk for the entire U.S. industry."
The program focused on three critical pillars:
Bioexclusion: Reducing the risk of pathogens entering the farm.
Biocontainment: Managing a pathogen on-site post-introduction.
Transportation: Reducing disease spread through dead haul, cull and market transport.
Full text: https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/intentional-agility-pork-industry-ready-next-swine-health-threat
3. Researchers develop aMPV vaccine candidates
Live and inactivated vaccine candidates based on U.S. strains for aMPV subtype B performed well in turkeys and chickens.
USPOULTRYU.S. Poultry & Egg Association
Feedstuffs
May 11, 2026
The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the USPOULTRY Foundation announced the completion of a research project that developed both live and inactivated vaccine candidates for avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B.
Project #745, "Development of Live Attenuated and Killed Vaccines for Emerging Avian Metapneumovirus Subgroup B," was led by Dr. Sunil Kumar Mor, Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.
Subtypes A and B of aMPV, a virus that causes an acute respiratory tract infection in turkeys and chickens, re-emerged in the U.S. poultry industry in early 2024 and rapidly spread across major poultry-producing states, posing a significant threat to production. These outbreaks resulted in substantial economic losses - exceeding those from highly pathogenic avian influenza in some states, including Iowa and Minnesota.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/poultry/researchers-develop-ampv-vaccine-candidates
4. University of Kentucky study finds airborne testing could help spot equine herpesvirus at major events
Research points to air sampling as a method for group surveillance stabling areas for EHV-1 and EHV-4.
By Jordan Strickler
News.mgcafe.uky.edu
May 11, 2026
Lexington, Ky.-Researchers in the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment have found that air sampling at major equestrian events could offer a new way to monitor for equine herpesviruses.
Published in Equine Veterinary Journal, the study examined temporary stabling facilities at eight international equestrian events in Spain and the United States. Researchers collected 37 air samples and 205 surface samples over 10 months to test for equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1 and EHV-4, two viruses that can spread among horses at competitions and when returning home.
"EHV-1 remains a major concern across the horse industry," said study author Lutz Goehring, professor at the UK Gluck Equine Research Center and holder of the Warren Wright, Sr. - Lucille Wright Markey Professorship. "The virus can cause respiratory disease, abortion and equine herpesvirus-associated myeloencephalopathy, a neurologic condition that can leave horses unable to stand."
Recent outbreaks at major events, including the 2021 outbreak in Valencia, Spain, prompted the International Equestrian Federation to fund the study which would seek to find earlier ways to detect viral activity during competitions.
"Our goal was to find out whether there are other options besides daily nasal swab sampling," Goehring said. "Air sampling gives you a way to look at a group environment without going horse to horse."
Air samples were collected over a period of six hours. The team found EHV-1 in 20 of 28 air samples collected in Spain, three of three air samples in Florida and three of six air samples collected in Kentucky.
5. USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System Launches National Equine Industry Study in 2026
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
May 12, 2026
USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in partnership with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), will conduct a national study of equine operations to examine the industry's key health challenges-an effort we recognize as a top priority for the equine community. The study is expected to have two phases:
Phase I (Farm Study) will begin August 1, 2026. This phase will include equine operations randomly selected from the NASS list of equine farms and ranches in all 50 States. It willprovide important information on equine care, health management and disease occurrence, use of equine veterinary services, and issues surrounding equines that are "at-risk" and/or in vocational transition.
Phase II (Equine Event Study) is expected to involve voluntary questionnaires and biological sampling conducted at equine events. NAHMS will evaluate its capacity to proceed with Phase II in spring 2027.
The data collected during this comprehensive study will be instrumental for prioritizing research to tackle equine health and disease issues, targeting education on best practices to protect equine health on farms and at events, and understanding important equine welfare issues.
Equine owners, industry stakeholders, and policy makers will benefit from the benchmark data produced by this survey, which will provide a greater understanding of equine health throughout the United States and provide valuable insight into management practices, disease preparedness, educational needs and opportunities related to equine health.
NASS and NAHMS are required by law to keep all information confidential, use the data for statistical purposes only, and publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual owner, manager or farm operation.
Results of previous NAHMS studies of the equine industry, including our most recent study from 2015, are available on the APHIS website.
Equine owners interested in participating in the Farm Study should visit NASS' Respondent Portal at www.agcounts.usda.gov.
6. Free Animal Care Record-Keeping Books Available to Dairy Farmers and Veterinarians
More than 7,600 books have been distributed to date
MorningAgClips.com
May 12, 2026
HARRISBURG, Pa. - This spring, the Center for Dairy Excellence is once again offering free copies of Animal Care Protocol Record-Keeping Books to Pennsylvania dairy producers and veterinarians. With more than 7,600 books distributed to date, they have been created to help Pennsylvania dairy farm families comply with National FARM requirements associated with record keeping. The latest version of the record-keeping books matches FARM Version 5.0's standards related to animal care. One book should cover three program years for a smaller-sized herd. To request a free copy of the book, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/request-book or call 717-788-0304.
"As you look at your dairy's protocols this spring, it's a great time to request a copy of this record-keeping book for your operation. These books have helped other producers establish a good system for managing animal care efforts and protocols," said Valerie Mason-Faith, Risk Education Program Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. "Each book should hold three years of FARM records and the books even include a family cow care agreement, pages to help producers document standard operating procedures and treatments of their dairy animals, dry cow protocols, and more."