1. New World screwworm cases climb to 52; first wild fly detected in U.S. trap
Texas Public Radio
September 28, 2026
There have now been 52 confirmed New World screwworm animal cases in the United States since June, including 50 in Texas and two in New Mexico.
The latest case was confirmed Sept. 26 in goats in Crockett County, one of three animal cases currently considered active.
Officials also detected the first wild screwworm fly in a U.S. surveillance trap during the current spread. The fly was found in Brewster County [TX] on Sept. 25. The detection is tracked separately and is not included in the 52 animal cases.
The other active cases are a horse in Presidio County, Texas, confirmed Sept. 9, and a horse in Grant County, New Mexico, confirmed Sept. 17.
2. Waukesha County cattle test positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease [WI]
By FOX6 News Digital Team
Fox6Now.com
September 29, 2026
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed that non-lactating dairy cows in Waukesha County tested positive for the epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus.
Officials noted that the disease has also been found in tissue samples from wild and captive deer in the area.
EHD is a viral infection spread by biting flies, commonly referred to as midges or no-see-ums. The disease typically surfaces in late summer and early fall when insect populations peak, and new cases usually decline following the season's first hard frost.
According to a news release, Wisconsin last reported an EHD case in cattle in 2013. However, unlike deer, cattle rarely show symptoms of the viral disease.
Full text: https://www.fox6now.com/news/waukesha-county-cattle-epizootic-hemorrhagic-disease
3. State offering chronic wasting disease sampling kits to deer hunters [IL - edited]
By David C.L. Bauer, Editor
MyJournalCourier.com
September 28, 2026
Hunters can receive mail-in sampling kits to help the state monitor for chronic wasting disease.
The free test kits will include instructions for removing lymph node samples from harvested deer. Results from the mail-in tests will be posted online when available, usually within two to four weeks, although priority will be given to samples from counties with known cases, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Those who submit a positive test will be contacted by text or email.
Hunters can request up to two kits at a time while supplies last by going to huntillinois.org/cwd-sampling or by contacting a local district wildlife biologist.
Full text: https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/illinois-deer-cwd-test-kits-22451810.php
4. HPAI Detected in Commercial Duck Flock in Jay County [IN]
By Dave Nathan
WZBD.com
September 29, 2026
Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a commercial meat duck flock in Jay County, according to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
The affected flock, identified as Jay 14, includes approximately 24,330 ducks. The flock has been placed under quarantine as state and federal animal health officials respond to the detection.
A 10-kilometer control area is now active, covering portions of Jay, Adams and Wells counties. A 20-kilometer surveillance zone is also in place, covering portions of Jay, Adams, Blackford and Wells counties.
As part of the response, officials are increasing surveillance and testing of poultry and other susceptible animals in and around the affected area.
Full text: https://wzbd.com/index.php/2026/09/29/hpai-detected-in-commercial-duck-flock-in-jay-county/
5. Dozens of deer found dead in Saginaw area, disease suspected [ MI - edited]
By Laura Herberg
TheMorningSun.com
September 29, 2026
Ryan Mills of Burton stumbled upon an "eerie" sight early Sunday morning, Sept. 20, in the Saginaw area.
While fishing along the Cass River in a kind of swampy area, he saw a deer lying dead in the water with no visible gunshot wounds. He went up the river around 20 yards and found two more deer dead in the water. He went a little farther up and saw another pair dead on the ground.
At that point, it began to smell.
"I started seeing deer laying everywhere on the banks," said Mills. "I even seen some deer just standing there in the water and they were just out of it."
All told, he estimates he found at least 30 deer dead on the Cass and Saginaw rivers in and around the Shiawassee River State Game Area.
It's probably disease, said officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Scott Larsen, a wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said the deaths are consistent with epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD.
6. FDA issues warning letters after contaminated product harms horses
Fungal contamination in topical wound care solution linked to serious infections in nearly 100 horses, at least 20 of which had to be euthanized.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Feedstuffs
September 29, 2026
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recently issued warning letters to Neogen Corp. and Sciarra Aeromed Inc. following an investigation that linked a veterinary wound care product labeled as sterile, Neogen Vet HYCOAT (hyaluronate sodium sterile solution), to serious infections and deaths in horses.
This incident involved at least 20 horse deaths, making it the largest number of horse deaths ever associated with a quality defect in an FDA-regulated veterinary medical product and the most deaths of any animal species linked to microbiological contamination of an FDA-regulated product labeled as sterile. Neogen initiated a voluntary recall of HYCOAT in late January 2026.
Total fatalities reflect only those deaths reported to FDA. The total number of affected horses only includes cases reported to FDA with sufficient identification to confirm each as a unique case. To date, FDA has not been informed of the final case outcome for many of the injured horses.