1. National Elk Refuge detects second case of chronic wasting disease [edited]
By Christina MacIntosh / Environmental Reporter
Jackson Hole News & Guide
July 16, 2026
The National Elk Refuge has detected chronic wasting disease in a second elk that wintered on the National Elk Refuge.
The cow elk was found dead on April 20. The apparent cause of death was predation. The elk was between three and five years old and was in poor body condition, as evidenced by its bone marrow.
The refuge, which winters the vast majority of the 11,000-animal Jackson Elk Herd, announced its first case in May. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, which tests CWD samples for the refuge, notified the refuge of the second positive case on May 15.
The National Elk Refuge did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
2. University of Missouri working to combat tick-borne illnesses impacting cattle population
By Colin Schowe
KMZU.coom
July 15, 2026
COLUMBIA, Mo - As tick-borne diseases threaten both Missouri cattle and Missourians, the University of Missouri is on the front line to combat these illnesses.
The school's College of Veterinary Medicine is leading the charge to protect producers and the state's livestock economy. Experts at Mizzou's Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) are providing timely testing services to gain insights and help researchers and agricultural professionals track the spread of these diseases across the state.
Since 2024, the VMDL has increase its testing of samples to determine the prevalence of the most common tick-borne illnesses affecting Missouri cattle. As of May this year they had test 651 samples for Theileria Orientalis. That disease comes form the invasive Asian Longhorned Tick. It kills red blood cells in cattle, causing weight loss and potentially pregnancy loss. Researchers at the center have seen positivity rates for this disease go up in recent years.
Producers looking to submit samples for testing can do so by visiting vmdl.missouri.edu
3. FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Ivermectin to Fight New World Screwworm in Horses [edited]
By Ryan Chadwick
SanAngeloLive.com
July 16, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for ivermectin liquid for horses to help prevent New World screwworm infestations in horses, federal officials announced Thursday.
The authorization allows the prescription medication to be used for the short-term prevention of New World screwworm myiasis when administered within 24 hours of a horse's birth or during initial wound care. The FDA emphasized the product is authorized only for horses and is not approved for use in other animal species.
Ivermectin liquid for horses is a ready-to-use oral solution that may be administered by oral drench or through a stomach tube. It is available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian.
4. Why 2026 is a Reality Check for Swine Health
From the re-emergence of pseudorabies to unrelenting PRRSV activity, experts warn that "seasonal reprieves" are a thing of the past.
By Jennifer Shike
Pork Business
July 16, 2026
The summer heat used to offer a seasonal reprieve from viral pressure, but 2026 is proving that viruses don't take vacations. With porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) positivity continuing to be relatively high and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) above expected levels in June, producers are being urged to rethink every 'layer' of their operation-from transport sanitation to the movement of labor across sites.
Swine health experts share the biggest health surprises of the year so far and the specific, high-stakes gaps in biosecurity that are currently leaving herds vulnerable. Whether you are managing endemic pathogens or preparing for foreign animal disease threats, this conversation between Megan Bollin, DVM and technical services veterinarian at Norbrook, Micah Jansen, DVM and director of the Zoetis U.S. Pork Technical Services; and Brooke Kitting, DVM and senior veterinarian at Seaboard Foods offers a roadmap for protecting your bottom line.
Full text: https://www.porkbusiness.com/news/why-2026-reality-check-swine-health
5. Pork Industry Involvement in Foreign and Emerging Disease Planning
Southern Farm Network
July 16, 2026
Dr. Patrick Webb, assistant chief veterinarian with the National Pork Board, said the threat of detecting a foreign and emerging animal disease in the U.S. underscores the importance of ensuring producers have the documentation tools and preparedness plans to prevent, detect, and quickly respond, if needed. Investment in surveillance and active, precise biosecurity from our producers and transporters remains vital.
"Foreign and emerging diseases are important, but focus on keeping them out. Focus on a response plan if they do get here. Make sure we detect them as early as possible, and make sure that we respond to them as early as possible, and so, we'll continue to promote a lot of the programs that we've been working on for years to help do that. Keeping things out-that's working with USDA and with Homeland Security to make sure that they're doing everything they can to protect our borders."
Webb shared that traceability tools help identify and track animal movements, a critical component for animal health officials to regionalize disease. Effective on-farm tools can help limit the spread of disease and improve response efforts.
Full text: https://www.sfntoday.com/2026/07/16/pork-industry-involvement-in-foreign-and-emerging-disease-planning/ #
6. Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Horse Protection Regulations
Federal Register Volume 91, Number 135 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)
Notices
Pages 43594-43595
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2026-14321
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Docket No. APHIS-2026-0433
Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Horse Protection Regulations
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's
intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the Horse Protection Program and
enforcement of the Horse Protection Act.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before September 14, 2026.
Full text: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-16/html/2026-14321.htm