BioSec Bob here on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 — let’s dig into what’s moving the markets and your operation today.
Food Safety Magazine is reporting on a multidrug-resistant Salmonella strain that’s become a growing problem in poultry operations and is now showing up in human infections at a higher rate. This particular strain resists multiple antibiotic classes, which limits treatment options both in birds and in people who consume contaminated meat. The strain’s persistence in poultry facilities means it’s surviving standard sanitation protocols, and producers are seeing repeat contamination cycles. The human health angle is driving regulatory attention, so processor testing standards and trace-back procedures are tightening up.
On the swine side, National Hog Farmer is flagging emerging trends with Senecavirus A — a virus that causes vesicular disease in pigs and can trigger production losses through fever, lameness, and mortality in young animals. What’s making this a surveillance concern right now is the uptick in detections across operations that thought they’d cleared the virus. The outlet’s pushing the point that active herd monitoring and early detection protocols need to be in place, because this virus spreads through direct contact and contaminated equipment, and once it’s in a barn, it moves fast.
Also out of swine news this morning, National Hog Farmer is covering new technology designed to reduce airborne pathogen transmission in barns. The innovation targets respiratory viruses that travel through ventilation systems and airspace — a major vector for diseases like PRRS and swine influenza. The tech uses targeted air treatment to reduce viable pathogen particles before they settle or spread between pens, reducing the infection pressure on the herd without requiring medication.
National Hog Farmer also has research on feed additives showing promise: monobutyrin and monovalerin — short-chain fatty acid compounds — appear to strengthen immune function in growing pigs. Studies show these additives boost intestinal health and enhance the pig’s natural defense response to pathogens, which means better performance and fewer disease challenges without relying solely on antibiotics.
Shifting to international disease watch, swine fever is now confirmed in Catalonia in Spain, with 41 active outbreaks since November 2025. This marks the first detection of the disease in Spain since 1994, and it’s a significant re-emergence in a major European pork region. The outbreak is concentrated in Catalonia but has prompted border-adjacent regions and trading partners to heighten surveillance and import restrictions.
Back to poultry — new research published through Phys.org shows that live insects scattered in poultry houses improve bird welfare measurably. Hens given access to insects showed reduced stress behaviors, better feather condition, and increased natural foraging activity compared to control groups. The insects provide both nutritional value and behavioral enrichment, and producers can source them relatively inexpensively, making this a practical welfare option that doesn’t require major facility changes.
Keep your biosecurity checklists current — a lot of moving parts out there right now.