1. Avian flu detected in Minnesota turkeys, US waterfowl
By Stephanie Soucheray, MA
CIDRAP News
September 17, 2026
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) noted three major H5N1 avian flu outbreaks at Minnesota facilities this past week.
Two commercial turkey operations in Big Stone County and Becker County had 55,700 and 44,400 birds affected, respectively. A commercial poultry breeder facility in Otter Tail County also reported an outbreak hitting 18,000 birds.
In the past 30 days, 16 confirmed flocks have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, including 10 commercial flocks and six backyard flocks. Roughly 400,000 birds have been affected.
Multiple wild-bird detections in Indiana, Utah
In other APHIS news, wild bird detections have increased this month, with almost 30 detections in Kootenai County, Indiana, and 20 detections in Webber County, Utah. Other states have also noted a smaller number of cases.
All recent wild bird detections are in mallards or other waterfowl.
Horse in New Mexico infected with screwworm before Mexico livestock imports resume
By Finya Swai
The Hill
September 17, 2026
A new case of New World screwworm was confirmed in a horse in New Mexico Thursday, days before the state was set to resume livestock imports from Mexico.
The infected horse was in Grant County near the Mexican border, according to the Department of Agriculture. It is the second confirmed case in New Mexico since the flesh-eating parasite entered the U.S. in June from Mexico.
The case comes after Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that USDA was preparing to reopen the Santa Teresa port of entry to livestock from Mexico on Sept. 24.
According to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the horse's infection had not yet been confirmed at the time of the announcement, which was made by Rollins at a news conference in Santa Teresa on Thursday.
Full text: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/6097215-new-mexico-screwworm-horse-confirmed/
Texas Releases New World Screwworm Infested Zone [10]
APHIS Stakeholder Registry
September 18, 2026
The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has released a New World screwworm (NWS) infested zone in Texas, with concurrence from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This action comes after State and Federal subject matter experts confirmed that the area met requirements outlined in APHIS' New World Screwworm Response Playbook for zone release.
The zone being released is: Infested Zone 10
Releasing infested zones removes NWS-related movement requirements for livestock and pets within certain areas. All interstate movement requirements and international export requirements will still apply.
Several infested zones in Texas remain in place, and APHIS continues to work closely with TAHC to evaluate conditions for future zone releases. All Texas animal owners should visit the TAHC website to ensure they have the latest information about the location of infested zones, movement requirements, and zone-specific requirements.
APHIS and TAHC remain committed to supporting continuity of business for producers and will continue applying science-based surveillance, early detection, and rapid response measures to ensure that areas are released as soon as the criteria have been met.
3. USDA Welcomes New Mexico into the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
September 18, 2026
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) and the New Mexico State Livestock Board have finalized an agreement to enhance state meat and poultry food safety inspection through joining the State USDA Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) program. New Mexico's participation expands local inspection capacity, enhances food safety oversight, and boosts market access for small and very small meat and poultry processors while maintaining strong national standards.
"Following up on President Trump's historic executive order, New Mexico is opening up markets for their cattle ranchers! Expanding state inspection partnerships is a way that maintains clear, accountable food safety protections that is central to USDA's strategy to strengthen America's food system," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. "New Mexico's approval reflects our commitment to empowering small and very small processors, supporting local producers, and increasing resilience in the supply chain while protecting consumers with safe, wholesome, and properly labeled food."
New Mexico becomes the 31st state with an approved State MPI program, supporting independent processors nationwide with the benefit of state inspection. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service will work closely with the New Mexico Livestock Board and local stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation, ongoing compliance, and continued trust in federal food safety standards.
Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/42b4612
4. New WSU-led research aims to transform U.S. fish farming
By Communications staff, Washington State University
WSU Insider
September 17, 2026
A new, Washington State University-led approach to fish breeding could help U.S. aquaculture grow safely and profitably, with support from a Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) Growing Impact Award and matching funds from WSU and Troutlodge.
The three institutions are providing a combined $1,566,716 to WSU researchers who are developing a practical way to produce healthy, sterile farmed rainbow trout. Sterility allows fish to devote more energy to growth, increasing farm productivity. It also prevents escaped farmed fish from breeding with wild fish and spreading traits that could disrupt ecosystems.
Current methods for inducing sterility in farmed fish are limited to adding an extra set of chromosomes, a method that is not fully effective and can cause fish health and production problems.
Full text: https://news.wsu.edu/news/2026/09/17/new-wsu-led-research-aims-to-transform-u-s-fish-farming/
5. Rabies confirmed in Brown County cow [MN]
MDH recommends shots for 9 people who were exposed
MPRNews.com
September 17, 2026
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed that a cow in Brown County tested positive for rabies last week after it was euthanized.
The board said the owner of the heifer noticed the animal behaving oddly on Sept. 1 as it laid flat with its head down. A veterinarian observed the animal the same day and the owner had administered oral medication with bare hands. Another veterinarian examined the animal the following day and also gave it oral medication without wearing gloves.
A third veterinarian examined the animal on Sept. 3 and observed that the cow had uncoordinated hind legs and was high-stepping, vocalizing, hypersalivating and had a high temperature.
The heifer was euthanized and the head was removed for rabies testing at the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory. Brain tissue tested positive for the rabies virus on Sept. 8.
Public health officials recommended that nine people who came in contact with the animal and its saliva, including the owner of the dairy cow, the owner's daughter, two minor children, two of the veterinarians who examined the animal and three assisting veterinary technicians seek rabies post-exposure prophylaxis as a preventative measure.
Four Strangles Cases Confirmed at Wisconsin Boarding Facility
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
September 17, 2026
Four horses at a boarding facility in Pierce County, Wisconsin, have tested positive for strangles, and two additional horses are suspected to be positive.
The positive horses include a 30-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding, a 14-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, a 7-year-old gelding, and a 16-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. All four horses are currently recovering.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147223/4-strangles-cases-confirmed-at-wisconsin-boarding-facility/
Four Strangles Cases Confirmed at Wisconsin Boarding Facility
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
September 17, 2026
Two new equine West Nile virus (WNV) cases have been reported to the Equine Disease Communication Center.
In Shasta County, California, an unvaccinated, 2-year-old Quarter Horse colt tested positive on Sept. 15. The horse presented with hind-end ataxia and recumbency. He is currently recovering. This is California's 13th confirmed equine WNV case of 2026.
In Minidoka County, Idaho, one horse at a veterinary hospital tested positive. No additional details are currently available.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1147221/new-equine-wnv-cases-confirmed-in-california-and-idaho/