1. Rabies in the Americas (RITA) 2026 - call for abstract submissions
RITA Press Release
July 8 2026
Rabies in the America's Conference being held at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA, October 18-23, 2026.
[Full details: https://ritaconference.org/en/ ]
The Rabies in the Americas (RITA) 2026 Scientific Committee is pleased to announce that abstract submissions are now open!
Researchers, public health professionals, veterinarians, students, and scientists are invited to submit abstracts for consideration as either an Oral Presentation or a Poster Presentation at this year's conference.
To submit your abstract:
Create an account or sign in to the RITA 2026 Abstract Submission Portal.
Complete the online submission form.
Upload your abstract and any required information before the submission deadline.
Please Note: Oral presentation slots are limited. Authors may select to be considered for an Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation, or both. Abstracts will undergo peer review by the Scientific Committee.
We encourage you to submit your work early and share your latest research, innovations, and experiences with colleagues from across the Americas and around the world.
Submit your abstract today and join us at RITA 2026!
Abstract Submission Portal: https://rita2026.org/
Full text: https://ritaconference.org/en/abstracts/
2. HPAI Isolated for the First Time from Fetal Bovine Serum
PoultryMed.com
July 9, 2026
Abstract:
In February 2025, researchers at the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) Virology Laboratory detected and isolated live highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13) from a commercial lot of fetal bovine serum (FBS) during routine safety screening. This unprecedented discovery highlights a novel biosafety risk in bovine-derived biological products. This study reveals that the virus can penetrate deeper into the bovine systemic circulation, occasionally breaching the placental barrier to reach the fetus.
The virus was uncovered during routine adventitious agent testing, a regulatory requirement for animal-origin biologics, on a pooled FBS lot collected from five states: California, Kansas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. The Virology Laboratory inoculated Vero cells and primary fetal bovine kidney (FBK) cells with media supplemented with 15% of the test FBS. By day 7, a distinct cytopathic effect (CPE), was observed in the Vero cells.
Full text: https://www.poultrymed.com/ID-Eng-FBS090726
3. Dr. Rosemary Sifford Honored with 2026 AVMA Public Service Award
By Jim Eadie
Swineweb.com
July 8, 2026
The American Veterinary Medical Association has named Dr. Rosemary Sifford as the recipient of its 2026 Public Service Award, recognizing a career dedicated to protecting animal health, supporting U.S. agriculture, and strengthening veterinary leadership during some of the most significant animal disease challenges in recent history.
The award recognizes outstanding public service and contributions to public health and regulatory veterinary medicine. Dr. Sifford recently retired after serving as the United States Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Throughout her career, Dr. Sifford played a pivotal role in safeguarding U.S. livestock industries, including the pork sector, through disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and international animal health leadership.
Leadership During Major Animal Health Events
As Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Sifford oversaw national animal health programs and served as the principal veterinary advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Her tenure included leadership during several high-profile animal health events, including the nation's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the first detection of HPAI in U.S. dairy cattle, and efforts to maintain science-based international trade throughout these challenges.
Full text: https://swineweb.com/dr-rosemary-sifford-honored-with-2026-avma-public-service-award/
4. FDA unveils 3-year blueprint to expand drug development for minor uses and minor species
Author(s) Caitlin McCafferty
DVM360.com
July 8, 2026
The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has released its MUMS Blueprint for Success: 2026-2028, a 3-year strategic plan designed to modernize and grow the agency's Minor Use and Minor Species (MUMS) program. Announced June 30, 2026, the blueprint lays out future actions and proposals intended to improve access to safe, effective drugs for animal populations that drug sponsors have historically overlooked.
The MUMS program serves 2 groups that rarely attract commercial drug development: minor species including sheep, goats, fish, and exotic animals as well as major species such as cattle, dogs, cats, and chickens that are affected by uncommon conditions with few or no approved treatment options.
Two decades of progress, but gaps remain
Since Congress passed the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act in 2004, CVM's Office of Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Drug Development (OMUMS) has worked to lower the financial and regulatory hurdles that discourage investment in limited-market animal drugs. The results to date include 30 designated uses that have earned full FDA approval, 9 of which were supported by the MUMS grant program, 7 conditional approvals (3 of which have since converted to full approval), and 18 drugs indexed for minor species.
Despite that progress, the agency acknowledges that significant treatment gaps persist. Veterinarians frequently must turn to extra label drug use, and for some conditions, no options exist at all. According to the FDA, the consequences extend beyond individual patients because these gaps can compromise animal health and welfare, create vulnerabilities in domestic food security, reduce agricultural productivity, and weaken the competitiveness of US producers in global markets.
5. WOAH Biological Standards Commission decides to relaunch a global call for new tuberculin candidates after extensive international trials
WOAH Newsletter
June 25, 2026
Following a decade of international studies, the WOAH Biological Standards Commission, supported by an ad hoc group of experts, has concluded that the proposed replacement candidates for the International Standard for Bovine Tuberculin do not meet the required potency levels. It will now relaunch a global call for new candidates' materials.
What is the International Standard for Bovine Tuberculin?
The International Standard Bovine Tuberculin (ISBT) is a biological reference material derived from Mycobacterium bovis strain AN5. Established nearly three decades ago, it defines a standardised protein concentration that serves as the global benchmark for tuberculin potency testing.
ISBT is used worldwide in bovine tuberculosis control programmes for screening cattle. All commercial bovine tuberculin preparations must be calibrated against this standard.
The science behind tuberculin testing
Tuberculin testing exploits the immune system's memory of infection. When Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms infect cattle, the animal's immune system develops a hypersensitivity response to specific bacterial proteins. The tuberculin skin test capitalises on this biological activity by injecting purified protein derivative (PPD) intradermally and measuring the resulting immune response as an increase in skin thickness. This delayed hypersensitivity reaction, measured 72 hours post-injection, indicates prior exposure to tuberculosis.
Full text: https://www.woah.org/en/woah-concludes-evaluation-of-bovine-tuberculin-candidates/
6. Health: Why Pen Riders Remain Irreplaceable in the Modern Feedlot
From monitoring rumen health to managing high-risk ratios, pen riders remain the essential human element in an increasingly tech-driven feeding industry.
By Maddy Rohr
Drovers.com
July 9, 2026
An often-overlooked position at the feedlot are pen riders, though they are essential to any successful feeding operation. Pen riders wear many hats and day-to-day can vary, but their main focus is animal health.
A typical day begins around 6:30 a.m. when they saddle horses and start riding through pens. The first thing Bruce Miller, head cowboy at Sellers Feedlot in Lyons, Kan., looks at is their water.
"That's the first thing I do is ride in and make sure they got water," Miller says. "Then I start getting the cattle up and moving. You get the cattle up whenever you ride a pen to get them moving around, get their belly working, the rumen working. I look for cripples; anything crippled that you can do something about."
Miller adds that while he is riding one pen, he's also looking across to the next pen and observing the animals' behavior before he arrives.
Feedlot-pen-rider - Bruce Miller of Sellers Feedlot.png
Bruce Miller of Sellers Feedlot, says stockmanship skills have a huge role in handling cattle.(Photo Provided By Sellers Feedlot)
"I'm always looking over to the next pen because cattle are a prey animal and we're a predator, so you ride into that pen and they might be trying to hide from you," he says. "I also look at their manure, and then if I see something that doesn't look quite right, I'll tell the manager, and he'll tell the feed crew."
Pen riders are considered the front line of animal health procedures at a feedlot because they see the cattle every day and are responsible for visually inspecting them for problems.