As part of its ongoing, multi-faceted efforts to combat the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today is updating its policy for pre-slaughter surveillance to enhance testing of turkey flocks in affected states.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced in a press release that it would be updating the policies it already has in place to enhance testing of turkey flocks to combat the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or highly pathogenic bird flu.

USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy Now Accounts for Two-Thirds of the Nation's Dairy Herds Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced an additional six states are enrolling in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS).

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture approved the money allocation from the Commodity Credit Corporation to APHIS to support the fight against the pest.

American Horse Council’s President Julie Broadway said AHC formally requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service delay the implementation of the revised Horse Protection Act regulations for 60 days.

For the first time during the 2022-25 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, the presence of the virus has been confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in Georgia.

A routine inspection by the USDA found that 57% of Frankfort TPA Park's small birds were either dead or missing, with no explanation given by staff.

According to a news release, the DNR has increased its contract with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to enhance the disposal of dead birds that might carry Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The contract expansion, amounting to $30,000, will provide additional wildlife technicians in the state through September.

The addition to the Horse Protection Act allows USDA-APHIS to screen, train, and authorize qualified persons to detect and diagnose soring at such events.

Some animal welfare groups are calling on USDA to release data on whether cockfighting has contributed to the spread of bird flu in the U.S.

Citing confusion about implementation of the pending amendments to the HPA, USEF echoes AHC's concerns in this update to its members.

Nolen RS. Mexico screwworm case triggers US emergency response. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published December 20, 2024. Accessed January 16, 2025. https://www.avma.org/news/mexico-screwworm-case-triggers-us-emergency-response