1. New cell growth platform advances African swine fever research
Scientists hope technology will aid in understanding of ASF infection in domestic pigs, with potential to breed pigs that are resistant to infection.
The Pirbright Institute
National Hog Farmer
September 10, 2026
Researchers at The Pirbright Institute have contributed to the development of a new method to generate pig immune cells on demand, providing a valuable platform for research into African swine fever virus.
The approach enables scientists to produce macrophages - the immune cells targeted by ASFV - from both domestic and wild pig species. The system provides a platform to enable scientists to study how domestic and wild pigs respond to infection by the virus, and why wild African pigs show limited signs of illness while domestic pigs develop severe, often fatal disease.
Their efforts could inform the development of farmed pigs that are resilient to disease and determine whether pigs could be enabled to be entirely resistant to infection.
The study, carried out in collaboration with the Roslin Institute, the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, was published in Stem Cell Reports. [See: https://tinyurl.com/2ap95svv ]
2. New World Screwworm Confirmed in Texas Horse; Equine Herpesvirus Confirmed in Wisconsin Horse
New World Screwworm Confirmed in Texas Horse
This marks the first equine case of New World screwworm as part of the current outbreak.
EDCC Health Watch
Equus Magazine
September 10, 2026
On Sept. 10, the USDA confirmed New World screwworm (NWS) in a horse in [southern] Presidio County, Texas. According to the United States Equestrian Federation, NWS was found on the hind limb of a working ranch horse. This is the first equine case in the United States this century.
Full text: https://equusmagazine.com/news/edcc-health-watch/new-world-screwworm-confirmed-in-texas-horse
Equine Herpesvirus Confirmed in Wisconsin Horse
EDCC Health Watch
Equus Magazine
September 10, 2026
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has reported that a horse in Green Lake County has tested positive for the respiratory form of equine herpesvirus. The 13-year-old Mustang gelding developed a fever, and test results confirmed an EHV diagnosis on Aug. 26. He's affected and alive, and the property is under voluntary quarantine.
Full text: https://equusmagazine.com/news/edcc-health-watch/equine-herpesvirus-confirmed-in-wisconsin-horse
3. EHD detected in Michigan deer in 4 counties [edited]
MI Live
September 9, 2026
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the state's first cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer for 2026, with infections detected in Branch, Ingham, Jackson and Lenawee counties.
The DNR Wildlife Health Section and Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory verified the presence of the virus in free-ranging deer populations. Additional detections will be posted on the DNR's EHD webpage as samples from other counties are submitted.
"We do not recommend consuming any animals that are visibly sick, but healthy deer harvested from areas where EHD has been present are still safe to eat," said Brent Rudolph, deer, elk and moose management specialist for the DNR Wildlife Division. "So far, we are seeing EHD on the landscape at levels similar to 2025."
Full text: https://www.mlive.com/environment/2026/09/ehd-detected-in-michigan-deer-in-4-counties.html
4. Swine Health Stalwart Honored as NC State Distinguished Alumni
Dr. Harry Snelson, DVM class of 1990 and an Asheville, North Carolina, native, has been at the forefront of public health service for decades through his work for the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.
NC State University News Release
September 11, 2026
Dr. Harry Snelson, an NC State College of Veterinary Medicine graduate who has been executive director of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians since 2018, has been recognized as an NC State Distinguished Alumni for his decades of work supporting swine health.
Snelson, who also served two years as the director of science and technology at the National Pork Producers Council, was honored at the second annual NC State Honors awards ceremony Sept. 10 along with other distinguished Wolfpack alumni. The event at Talley Student Union also celebrated the university's Watauga medal winners and several other endowment awards and honors.
"The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine is incredibly proud of our alumnus, Dr. Harry Snelson, for his contributions to the health and welfare of swine and his support of the swine industry - an industry so important to the state of North Carolina - but also because of his incredible leadership in veterinary medicine," said Dr. Kathryn Meurs, the Randall B. Terry Jr. Dean of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. "He serves as an exceptional role model for our students."
Full text: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/news/swine-health-stalwart-honored-as-nc-state-distinguished-alumni/
5. Coronavirus link 'highlights need to strengthen calf respiratory disease protection' [UK]
By Chris Ritchie
VetSurgeon News
September 10, 2026
Coronavirus link 'highlights need to strengthen calf respiratory disease protection'New data have highlighted the importance of protecting calves against bovine coronavirus as part of a wider strategy to prevent bovine respiratory disease (BRD), MSD Animal Health reports.
Analysis of 1,732 calves screened through the firm's BRD screening service between 2022 and 2026 found that 69.5% had antibodies to bovine coronavirus.
Coronavirus-positive groups were "significantly more likely" to show evidence of other respiratory pathogens, particularly bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3) and Mannheimia haemolytica. Each additional PI3-positive calf was associated with an approximately 37% increase in the odds of a group being coronavirus-positive.
Absence of obvious respiratory signs does not necessarily mean calves are healthy: while clinical BRD typically affects around 11-16% of calves, subclinical disease - where lung damage occurs without obvious signs - may affect 23-67%, it says.
Even small lung lesions can affect performance, with research showing calves with 1-2cm lesions can have average daily gains 96-138g lower than calves without lesions.
6. MSU Extension to offer two Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock trainings [MI]
By Thomas Guthrie and Michael Metzger, MSU Extension
MichiganFarmNews.com
September 10, 2026
Responding to accidents is never an easy task. Responding to an accident that involves large trucks, people and animals can quickly turn into a chaotic event if the local response team is not prepared or trained to handle such an occurrence.
Following several livestock truck rollovers over the last few years in Michigan and adjacent states, MSU Extension, along with MDARD and Michigan Pork Producers Association, recognized the need to have a network of trained people across the state to respond to these situations.
To help first responders, such as law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, as well as livestock professionals including veterinarians, and animal control officers prepare for accidents involving livestock, MSU Extension is coordinating specialized hands-on training for livestock accident responders, detailed below.
Captive bolt device euthanasia training
This workshop is designed to teach first responders how to perform humane livestock euthanasia with a captive bolt device. Workshop topics include identifying compromised animals, animal anatomy and target location, rules of animal ownership, animal restraint and safety.
When: Oct. 26, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Farm Bureau Pavilion, 4301 Farm Lane, Lansing, Michigan 48910
Cost: $25 per person
Participants must be at least 18 years of age. When filling out the registration form, be sure to select the "Captive Bolt Device Training" checkbox.