1. New VSV-Positive Equine Premises Identified in Arizona [edited]; EHM Case Confirmed in Pennsylvania;
North Carolina Mare Euthanized After Contracting EHV
New VSV-Positive Equine Premises Identified in Arizona [edited]
The premises is located in Pinal County.
EDCC Health Watch
EquiManagement.com
January 12, 2026
In early January, one affected premises was identified in Maricopa County.
Since then, one new equine premises has been identified in Pinal County.
The last outbreak of VSV in the U.S. occurred from May 2023 through January 2024, affecting 319 premises across California, Nevada, and Texas. VSV circulates annually between livestock and insect vectors in southern Mexico and only occasionally results in incursion to the U.S.
EHM Case Confirmed in Pennsylvania
The case is located in Bucks County.
EDCC Health Watch
EquiManagment.com
January 12, 2026
One horse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has tested positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Two additional horses are suspected to be positive, and 24 horses have been exposed.
There is no known epidemiological connection between this EHM case and any other reported cases.
Full text: https://equimanagement.com/news/edcc-health-watch/ehm-case-confirmed-in-pennsylvania/
North Carolina Mare Euthanized After Contracting EHV
The mare lived in Davidson County.
EDCC Health Watch
EquiManagement.com
January 12, 2026
On Jan. 8, a 10-year-old Westphalian mare in Davidson County, North Carolina, tested positive for equine herpesvirus (EHV) with mild, non-suppurative and perivascular encephalitis. She was found acutely down on Dec. 26 and was euthanized. Seven additional horses have been exposed.
2. Presumptive Positive H5 HPAI Case in Kent County Commercial Flock [DE - edited]
State officials have quarantined the affected premises
MorningAgClips.com
January 11, 2026
DOVER, Del. - The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that preliminary testing of a commercial broiler flock in Kent County has returned presumptive positive for H5 HPAI (avian influenza).
State officials have quarantined the affected premises, and the birds on the property are being depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the affected flock will not enter the food system.
This is the first Delaware detection of avian influenza in a commercial flock during the 2025-26 waterfowl migratory season.
Full text: https://www.morningagclips.com/presumptive-positive-h5-hpai-case-in-kent-county-commercial-flock/
3. Michigan Gelding Tests Positive for Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
January 9, 2026
On Jan. 5, a 24-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding in Livingston County, Michigan, tested positive for strangles. The horse developed clinical signs on Dec. 22, including fever, nasal discharge, and cough. He is now recovering.
Two additional horses are suspected to be positive, and three horses have been exposed.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1141934/michigan-gelding-tests-positive-for-strangles-3/
4. Researchers investigate rise in severe lung damage in swine
Control of PRRSV, PCV2, IAV through vaccination, management and disease elimination most effective way of preventing the manifestation of DAD in pigs.
Swine Health Information Center
National Hog Farmer
January 12, 2026
Submissions to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have recently included a growing number of pig cases with a severe lung lesion pattern called diffuse alveolar damage, a syndrome historically rare in swine. To understand what may be driving this change, the Swine Health Information Center funded a study led by Marcelo Almeida to investigate the etiology of this emergent swine respiratory disease syndrome.
A total of 42 DAD cases were reviewed by veterinarians and tested by PCR for common respiratory viruses, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, influenza A virus and porcine circovirus 2, and next generation sequencing to detect other viruses. While many pigs were infected with common respiratory pathogens, no single virus consistently explained the DAD lesions, suggesting that controlling PRRSV, IAV and PCV2 through vaccination and sound herd management remains the best strategy available today to help reduce the risk of this severe lung damage in pigs.
Find the industry summary for SHIC project #24-043 here: https://www.swinehealth.org/results/
5. State-level Farm Bill proposal aims to boost biosecurity and tackle veterinarian shortages
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig is proposing a one-size-fits-all bill, an approach one cattle leader calls a more efficient way to legislate.
By JD Snover
WeAreIowa.com
January 9, 2026
DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig is proposing a wide-ranging bill for lawmakers to consider this legislative session, aimed at strengthening Iowa's agriculture industry and improving the state's response to foreign animal diseases.
Industry leaders say the plan, called the Iowa Farm Act, takes a comprehensive approach to several long-standing issues in the ag sector. One of the major components focuses on emergency preparedness and biosecurity.
Bryan Whaley, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and a cow-calf producer in north-central Iowa, said the recent spread of avian influenza, including cases detected in dairy cattle, has highlighted the need for better planning.
"The more we can be prepared and ready for that, and have the tools and the equipment and the resources to be quick with our response will help us mitigate some of those challenges," Whaley said.
A release outlining the bill says it would safeguard producer confidentiality during a foreign animal disease outbreak, a move supporters say could encourage faster reporting and quicker state response. Whaley said the ongoing outbreaks have pushed producers to take a closer look at their own on-farm practices.
Full text: https://tinyurl.com/2u3czjas
6. USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines
FAS News Release
December 29, 2025
WASHINGTON, December 29, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines, taking place April 13-16, 2026. U.S. exporters that are interested in exploring trade opportunities in Philippines's thriving market and rapidly growing economy must apply by Friday, January 09, 2026.
"U.S. agricultural exporters have an abundance of new opportunities in the Philippines, thanks to President Trump's recent trade agreement," said Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg. "This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in the Philippines, expanding economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive."
The Philippines is the 9th largest export market for U.S. agricultural and food exports, averaging $3.6 billion annually during the last five years. Among the top 20 most populous countries in the world with 118 million people, the Philippines offers U.S. agribusinesses tremendous export potential thanks to its young and fast-growing population, strong consumer preference for U.S. foods and beverages, and robust service-based economy.
Full text: https://www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/usda-accepting-applications-agribusiness-trade-mission-philippines