Weekly Livestock-Equine News: August 17, 2026

Boehringer Ingelheim acquires Evax AG, equine therapeutic vaccine maker

Founded more than a decade ago at the University of Zurich, Evax has been exploring the use of therapeutic vaccines to address significant unmet needs in horses, particularly for the treatment of allergic skin diseases. Therapeutic vaccines incorporate virus-like particles to induce the horse’s immune system to produce neutralizing antibodies, treating the underlying cause of the disease. Boehringer Ingelheim reports it has been pursuing therapeutic vaccines for many years, including through its collaboration with and subsequent acquisition of Saiba Animal Health in 2024.

Infrared camera detects fever in cattle

Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Livestock Issues Research Unit in Lubbock, Texas, are using a special camera to look into the eyes of each cow being processed through the feedlot. The camera uses infrared technology to accurately measure the heat produced by the cow’s eye. Infrared scanning takes 20-30 seconds per animal and replaces the traditional method of using rectal thermometers, which takes up to two minutes per animal. “It is possible to use this technology for the targeted treatment of cattle that have a fever, rather than treating all cattle with antibiotics,” said animal scientist Nicole Sanchez. “This would reduce the number of cattle treated with antibiotics.”

USDA launches nationwide study on equine health and management practices

The USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System, working with the National Agricultural Statistics Service, has begun a nationwide study of equine operations this month. Phase I of the project (the Farm Study) began Aug. 1, with randomly selected equine farms and ranches in all 50 states. Researchers will collect information on equine care, disease occurrence, health management, veterinary service use and horses considered at risk or transitioning between vocational roles. A second phase, the Equine Event Study, could begin in 2027 and would include voluntary questionnaires and biological sampling at equine events, pending NAHMS’ evaluation of available resources.

FDA issues EUA for Elanco’s CLiK Extra wound spray for NWS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for CLiK Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) wound spray for application on or around wounds for the prevention of New World screwworm infestations (myiasis) in sheep, cattle, goats, swine and camelids (e.g., camels, llamas, alpacas). This EUA will be effective until it is revoked or the HHS Secretary terminates the declaration that the potential public health emergency presented by NWS justifies the emergency use authorization of animal drugs for NWS.

Feds propose updates to National Poultry Improvement Plan

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has published proposed amendments to the Plan, a cooperative federal-state-industry mechanism for controlling certain poultry diseases. The Plan identifies states, independent flocks, hatcheries dealers, and slaughter plants that meet certain disease control standards. As a result, customers can buy poultry that has tested clean of certain diseases or that has been produced under disease-prevention conditions.

FDA finalizes guidance on antimicrobial animal drugs

The FDA has issued a risk assessment framework to evaluate whether and to what degree a given antimicrobial drug used in food-producing animals could pose a risk to human health through the food supply. The guide ranks antimicrobial drugs by their relative importance to human medicine, but the agency cautions that such rankings are not intended to serve as a standalone risk management tool.