USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Rule Changes

Coordinates national spotted lanternfly response

Massachusetts is asking residents to kill an invasive sap-feeding insect now confirmed in more than 145 of the state's 351 cities and towns. The spotted lanternfly, native to Asia, arrived in the U.S. in 2014 and reached Massachusetts in 2021.

Updated Sep 9

Force in Play

Running detection, quarantine, and sterile-fly release

Two calves in Zavala County, Texas, have tested positive for New World screwworm in the first US detections since 1966. The initial case was confirmed June 3; a second followed five miles away two days later. Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster on June 5, warning Texans to prepare for an "extraordinarily challenging summer."

Updated Jun 8

Force in Play

Tracking infected herds, coordinating depopulation

In March 2024, H5N1 avian influenza appeared in U.S. dairy cattle for the first time. It has since infected over 1,000 herds across 17 states and 70 humans; one person has died.

Updated May 19