BioSec Bob here on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are testing ultraviolet light as a tool to combat avian influenza in poultry operations, according to CBS19. The team is exploring how UV technology might reduce virus load in controlled environments where birds are housed. The work is still in the experimental phase, but the goal is to identify practical applications that producers could deploy alongside their existing biosecurity protocols. Texas A&M is evaluating both the effectiveness of the UV treatment and the logistics of implementing it in real production settings.
On the swine disease front, Canada has announced an expansion of its disease surveillance network, Farms.com is reporting. The enhanced monitoring program will strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and track swine pathogens across provinces. Canadian officials say the move is designed to catch emerging health threats early and support rapid response if outbreaks occur. The surveillance upgrade reflects ongoing commitment to protecting Canada’s herd health and trade status.
Moving south of the border, researchers in Brazil are pursuing genetic engineering to develop African swine fever-resistant pigs using CRISPR technology, according to Food Agribusiness. The project aims to create animals with natural resistance to ASF, a devastating disease that has disrupted swine production across multiple continents. Brazil’s research effort represents a longer-term strategy to protect the herd through selective genetic modification rather than relying solely on traditional management and containment measures.
Back to poultry now — scientists are using DNA-level research to advance food safety protocols, the Magnolia Reporter is reporting. Researchers are studying how to target and neutralize harmful microbe DNA to reduce contamination risks in poultry processing and products. The work is focused on understanding microbial behavior at the genetic level to develop more effective intervention strategies throughout the supply chain.
Across the Pacific, researchers have launched avian influenza surveillance in poultry environments and among pneumonia patients in three major Chinese cities, according to Bioengineer.org. The study is monitoring for flu viruses in both animal production facilities and human respiratory illness cases to identify potential cross-species transmission patterns. China’s expanded surveillance reflects heightened attention to tracking bird flu across production and human health sectors simultaneously.
On the Philippines side, Kalinga province has reimposed a transport ban on poultry and hogs, the Herald Express is reporting. The restriction limits the movement of live birds and swine across provincial borders. Local authorities enacted the ban in response to disease concerns in the region.
Keep your biosecurity measures current — there’s a lot of surveillance activity out there for good reason.