Veterinarian in Japan Dies After Contracting Rare Tick-Borne Virus While Treating Infected Cats
A tragic case has raised alarm in Japan’s veterinary and public health communities after a veterinarian in Mie Prefecturedied from a rare and potentially deadly tick-borne illness known as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS). The veterinarian is believed to have contracted the virus while treating two cats that were later confirmed to be infected with SFTS, the Mie Prefectural Veterinarians’ Association reported on June 13.
Bird Flu Strikes Again: Fourth Arizona Poultry Farm Hit with Avian Influenza
The avian influenza outbreak in Maricopa County, Arizona, has now reached a fourth commercial poultry farm. The latest affected site—dubbed Maricopa 05—was flagged through routine surveillance testing on June 4, 2025, before any birds showed clinical signs of illness.
Urban rats spread deadly bacteria as they migrate, study finds
Urban rats spread a deadly bacteria as they migrate within cities that can be the source of a potentially life-threatening disease in humans, according to a six-year study by Tufts University researchers and their collaborators that also discovered a novel technique for testing rat kidneys.
The Government Just Dropped $15 Million to Stop the Next Livestock Crisis — Here’s What That Means for You
What do 24 state agricultural departments, 5 tribal nations, and 35 universities have in common? They’re all part of a nationwide effort to stop the next major livestock disease outbreak before it starts.
In a bold move to strengthen the country’s biosecurity, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) just announced over $15.3 million in funding for 68 new projects dedicated to detecting, preventing, and responding to serious livestock disease threats.
Battling Bird Flu’s Unlikely New Target: America’s Dairy Herds
The University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine has emerged as a key player in this unfolding story, securing significant federal funding through a cooperative agreement with the USDA. The multimillion-dollar grant supports collaborative projects aimed at tracking transmission patterns and developing mitigation strategies for highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy herds—research that could prove vital for protecting both animal health and the nation’s food supply.
Emerging Zoonotic Threat? Mystery Illness in Congo Raises Concerns for Veterinary and Medical Experts
A recent outbreak of an unidentified hemorrhagic fever in northwestern Congo has drawn global attention, particularly from veterinarians, epidemiologists, and public health officials concerned about zoonotic disease transmission. The illness, first detected in three children who consumed a bat, has resulted in over 50 fatalities within just five weeks, with a rapid disease progression leading to death within 48 hours in most cases.