1. H5N1 risk to swine program leads to virus research innovation
Projects funded through the SHIC/FFAR/NPB program helping to fill knowledge gaps for the U.S. pork industry.
By Swine Health Information Center
National Hog Farmer
May 14, 2026
The Swine Health Information Center partnered with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff in 2024 to fund a $4 million research program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the US swine herd. As an outcome from one H5N1 funded project, a recent article, "How new approach methods are reshaping virology research," was published in the March 2026 Journal of Virology. The article highlights how new approach methods are transforming virus research and offers important insights in support of SHIC' goals to advance innovative tools and address emerging threats such as H5N1.
The complete article can be found here in the Journal of Virology. [ See: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvi.01326-25 ]
Led by principal investigator, Cody Warren, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, the study's central theme is the development and application of advanced in vitro systems that better replicate real-world viral infections. Highlighted technologies include air-liquid interface cultures, precision-cut lung slices, and organoids which allow researchers to model respiratory infections in ways that closely mimic natural disease processes.
2. Texas Tech Veterinary School receives $650K USDA grant to study swine disease
By: Amy Anderson
EverythingLubbock.com
May 13, 2026
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech University's School of Veterinary Medicine received a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study Streptococcus suis (S. suis), a bacterium in pigs that can cause serious illness and economic losses. Led by assistant professor Tara Gaire, the research project aims to identify why some pigs become sick while others do not, helping improve disease prevention, animal welfare and sustainability in the U.S. swine industry.
The project will examine how pigs' respiratory microbiomes interact with different strains of S. suis, potentially leading to earlier detection methods and more effective prevention strategies for producers.
By focusing on disease risk factors rather than reacting only after outbreaks occur, the research could help reduce antibiotic use and combat growing antimicrobial resistance in livestock production.
3. Oklahoma Quarter Horse Tests Positive for EHV-1; Three Montana Horses Test Positive for Strangles
Oklahoma Quarter Horse Tests Positive for EHV-1
Equus Magazine
May 13, 2026
On May 12, an 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare used for barrel racing in Wagoner County, Oklahoma, tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The mare presented with neurologic signs on May 5, including bladder atony and inability to stand. She also displayed nasal discharge.
Tracing efforts are ongoing. To date, no additional horses with confirmed EHV-1 or clinical signs consistent with EHV-1 have been identified.
Full text: https://equusmagazine.com/news/edcc-health-watch/oklahoma-quarter-horse-tests-positive-for-ehv-1
Three Montana Horses Test Positive for Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
May 13, 2026
According to the state veterinarian, three horses in Sweet Grass County, Montana, have tested positive for strangles, and 70 horses have been exposed. The affected horses are under quarantine.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1144425/3-montana-horses-test-positive-for-strangles/
4. Avian influenza hits another Indiana duck flock
In this situation, 29,800 ducks were involved.
By Roy Graber
WATTAgNet.com
May 13, 2026
Confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Indiana continue, as one more situation has been confirmed.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that the latest case involved a commercial meat duck flock in Elkhart County. There were 29,800 birds involved in the situation, which APHIS confirmed on May 12.
This is the third commercial duck flock to have the presence of HPAI confirmed in May. Two earlier cases were confirmed on May 6 and May 8, with both of those detections in LaGrange County.
Prior to May 6, the last time Indiana had a confirmed case of HPAI in a commercial poultry operation was April 3.
Indiana has now had 41 commercial flocks affected by HPAI - more than any other state.
5. Wine waste shows promise in reducing antibiotic use in poultry farming
Bioengineer
May 13, 2026
In a groundbreaking development that could redefine poultry farming and antibiotic use, researchers at Cornell University have unveiled a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chicken diets. This innovation harnesses an abundant but underutilized byproduct of the winemaking process-grape pomace. Annually, the global wine industry generates millions of gallons of grape pomace-residue comprising grape skins, seeds, stems, and peels-posing environmental disposal challenges for wineries. However, this waste product may soon find new life as a powerful feed additive that addresses both growth performance and gut health in poultry, potentially transforming the poultry industry's approach to combating antibiotic resistance.
The research, published in the prestigious journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, details a rigorous comparative study between grape pomace and zinc bacitracin, an antibiotic growth promoter commonly used in chicken feed. The study's findings, presented by Elad Tako, associate professor of food science at Cornell, reveal that a mere 0.5% inclusion of grape pomace in broiler diets yields enhancements nearly equivalent to those achieved with zinc bacitracin. This small dietary adjustment notably improved weight gain, increased feed conversion efficiency, and bolstered intestinal health, even when birds were raised on a diet known to induce chronic low-grade inflammation.
Full text: https://bioengineer.org/wine-waste-shows-promise-in-reducing-antibiotic-use-in-poultry-farming/
6. WOAH Report Highlights Growing Disease Pressure and Veterinary System Gaps
New global report warns shrinking investment in animal health is colliding with expanding disease threats, workforce strain and rising biosecurity demands
By Andrea Bedford
Bovine Veterinarian
May 13, 2026
A perfect storm may be gathering over the global food system.
As unprecedented outbreaks of bird flu, African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and New World screwworm spread across regions, the financial systems meant to prevent and contain these threats are shrinking.
That is the central warning from the World Organisation for Animal Health's (WOAH) newly released 2026 State of the World's Animal Health report, which argues that global investment in prevention is failing to keep pace with a rapidly expanding biological risk profile.
According to the report, more than 20% of global animal production is lost to preventable disease every year, yet animal health receives less than 0.6% of total global health spending. At the same time, approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals.
For food-animal veterinarians in North America, many of the report's themes already feel familiar. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle, growing antimicrobial stewardship pressure, increasing biosecurity demands, workforce shortages and concern around emerging and transboundary diseases all feature prominently in WOAH's assessment of global animal health trends.
"Animal health systems are the first lines of defense against the next pandemic," said WOAH director general Emmanuelle Soubeyran during a panel discussion accompanying the report release.