BioSec Bob here on Sunday, June 14, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
On the poultry front this morning, NBC Boston is reporting that 445 birds have been euthanized after avian flu was detected at a live bird market in Providence, Rhode Island. The birds were culled following confirmation of the virus at the facility. The market remains under investigation as officials work to contain any further spread.
Stepping back from that immediate outbreak, The Citizen is reporting that a government minister has approved bird flu vaccinations for poultry operations. The authorization clears the way for producers to vaccinate their flocks against the disease, marking a shift in the regulatory approach to avian influenza protection.
Over on the swine side, Global Biodefense is taking a closer look at H5N1’s potential in pig populations. The publication is warning that swine represent a significant pandemic wildcard — pigs can contract the avian flu virus, and their ability to carry and potentially amplify the pathogen is drawing serious attention from biosecurity experts watching for cross-species transmission risks.
In India, The Times of India is reporting that African swine fever has now spread to Charaideo district, following earlier cases in the Tinsukia and Dibrugarh regions of Assam. The disease continues its geographic expansion across the state, with implications for herd management and trade restrictions in affected areas.
Turning to the longer view, Pork Business is exploring how data and automation might reshape swine production over the next decade. The publication’s analysis of Gen Z’s vision for 2035 production systems centers on precision management tools, real-time herd monitoring, and labor-efficiency innovations that could fundamentally change how producers approach daily operations and animal health decision-making.
And on the layer side, WATTPoultry is reporting that NestFresh, a major US egg producer, has transitioned entirely to in-ovo sexed egg technology across its operations. The company now sells only eggs from this sexing method, eliminating conventional sorting processes from its production line.
Keep your disease protocols sharp — there’s plenty moving on both fronts.