1. SHIC keeps watch on New World screwworm threat [edited]
As of April 1, over 1,270 swine have been affected with NWS in Mexico, representing approximately 6.5% of total cases.
Swine Health Information Center
National Hog Farmer
April 9, 2026
When New World screwworm was first detected in Mexico in November 2024, USDA increased monitoring, prevention and mitigation practices to address this emerging disease threat to domestic livestock. Those efforts include ongoing aerial dispersion of sterile NWS flies in Mexico and along the Texas border to curb fly population growth as well as active surveillance for NWS flies in border states.
Monitoring swine cases in Mexico is an important component to evaluating risk to the U.S. swine herd. As of April 1, over 1,270 swine have been affected with NWS in Mexico, representing approximately 6.5% of total cases.
n Texas alone, projections estimate that an NWS outbreak could result in more than $1.8 billion in livestock losses (USDA APHIS, 2025). Due to significant animal health and economic impacts, suspected cases of NWS must be reported to state animal health officials and the USDA immediately.
In total, reports from Mexico as of April 5, indicate that 19,677 head of livestock have been affected with 1,290 active cases, 120 of which were swine. Other active cases include 726 bovine, 309 canine, 72 equine, 37 sheep, 3 humans, 12 goats, six feline and one bird. Accumulated totals of affected species since November 2024 include 13,217 bovine, 3,220 canine, 1287 swine, 962 equine, 517 sheep, 196 humans, 149 goats, 86 feline and 30 birds.
2. New Tools Help Ranchers Fight Bovine Respiratory Disease
By Jason Vance, CherryRoad Media
Lincoln County Journal
April 8, 2026
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains one of the toughest challenges for beef producers, but new research and technology are giving ranchers an edge.
Dr. Dave Sjeklocha, a veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, shared some of the latest advances in preventing and treating the disease.
"BRD has been a challenge for years," Sjeklocha said. "The key is finding ways to reduce death loss and catch illness early-and we're making progress."
Merck recently studied Holstein calves arriving at a feedyard. All received Telithromycin upon arrival, then sick calves were treated with either Resflor Gold or a competitor antibiotic.
"Resflor Gold contains the same active molecule as the competitor, but it also includes an anti-inflammatory," Sjeklocha said. "The result? Calves treated with Resflor Gold had 40% less death loss. That's huge when you consider today's cattle prices."
Merck's SenseHub Feedlot technology takes early detection to the next level. Ear tags monitor each calf's activity and temperature throughout the day, alerting ranchers to potential illness.
3. U.S. Horse Owners Invited to Participate in Survey on Metabolic Disorders
Survey responses could help Texas A&M researchers better understand prevalence and where additional education on equine metabolic disorders is needed.
TheHorse.com
April 9, 2026
Horse owners and industry professionals are invited to participate in a new national survey designed to better quantify the prevalence of equine endocrine disease, understand how affected horses are diagnosed and managed, and determine the knowledge owners in the United States have regarding equids with metabolic disorders.
Researchers with the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science, in College Station, are collecting input from U.S. horse industry participants about their understanding of metabolic issues such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, insulin dysregulation, and equine metabolic syndrome.
"We also hope to gain insight into the care decisions that individuals make if they currently own or have previously owned an equid that has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder," the researchers said.
They say this type of information can help identify where additional educational programs might be needed.
Any horse owner and equine professional involved in horse care can take part; you do not have to have a metabolic horse to participate. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete (15 minutes for those managing metabolic equids), and the deadline for participating is June 30, 2026.
4. WOAH and partners advance One Health from vision to action at the 2026 One Health Summit
WOAH News Release
Published April 9, 2026
At the One Health Summit held on 7 April 2026, hosted by France, global leaders, partners, and international organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a more integrated, preventive approach to health at the human-animal-environment interface.
In the context of converging global crises-including unsustainable food production systems, climate change, biodiversity loss, and the growing threat of emerging and endemic infectious diseases-participants underscored the urgent need to move from fragmented responses to coordinated, systemic action.
Today, nearly 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. At the same time, longstanding zoonotic diseases such as rabies and tuberculosis, along with vector-borne diseases, continue to cause preventable human deaths each year. These risks are further compounded by increasingly complex biological threats, whether natural, accidental, or deliberate.
Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), emphasised that animal health is not a sectoral issue, but a cornerstone of global health security, economic resilience, and sustainable development.
Despite this, investment in prevention remains critically insufficient. Animal diseases are responsible for an estimated 20% loss in global livestock production, costing approximately USD 300 billion annually. Yet Veterinary Services receive on average only 0.05% of national GDP. By contrast, the estimated annual investment required to strengthen veterinary systems-USD 2.3 billion-is minimal relative to the cost of global crises and offers returns of up to 86%.
5. 2026 Swine Innovation Forum to provide swine health, production insights [NC]
Talks will cover nutrient management, indoor air quality, the role of vitamin D on PRRS, nonproductive sow days, sow anemia and sow livability.
North Carolina State University
National Hog Farmer
April 8, 2026
On Tuesday, May 5, North Carolina State University will host its annual Swine Innovation Forum in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The event brings together people throughout the industry to foster knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation within the pork production sector. This year's forum will feature a distinguished lineup of industry leaders, researchers and students who will provide valuable insights into swine economics, health, nutrition and sustainability. Six hours of continuing education credits are available for North Carolina participants.
The state of North Carolina is uniquely situated in the modern pork industry due to its storied history of innovation and resilience. Talks throughout the day will highlight specific breakthroughs and applicable knowledge to improve swine productivity, for farms of all sizes and production stages.
6. APHIS Leadership Updates
APHIS News Release
April 8, 2026
Dear APHIS Partners and Stakeholders,
We are sharing several important leadership updates within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Michelle Wenberg Retires as Associate Administrator
After 38 years of federal service, Associate Administrator Michelle Wenberg is retiring from APHIS. Ms. Wenberg began as a student intern and went on to serve in key leadership positions across the Agency. She served as APHIS Budget Officer from 2005 to 2019, Deputy Administrator for Policy and Program Development (PPD), and since 2024 as Associate Administrator.
Ms. Wenberg's leadership in budget formulation, strategic planning, program assessments, regulatory development, and economic and risk analysis has played a central role in shaping many of the policies, regulations, and program decisions that affect our state and industry partners. Her portfolio will be distributed among the current executive leaders in the Office of the Administrator to ensure continuity of service and support.
We extend our sincere appreciation for her decades of partnership-focused leadership.
Hallie Zimmers Appointed Deputy Administrator for Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services (ERCS)
We are also pleased to announce that Hallie Zimmers has been selected as Deputy Administrator for ERCS, after serving as Acting Deputy Administrator for the program. Hallie previously served as ERCS' Associate Deputy Administrator and as the APHIS Advisor for State and Stakeholder Relations. Her experience working directly with state partners, national associations, and agricultural industries-paired with her program leadership-is a strong foundation for advancing APHIS' emergency response and regulatory compliance mission.