Cornell Study Identifies EHD Virus in New York Livestock

Researchers found antibodies in 34 samples of state cattle and sheep, highlighting potential vulnerability to future outbreaks.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Diseases — General

Isometric editorial illustration of a parched, cracked mud landscape in New York with a stylized midge silhouette. — A Cornell study identified EHD virus antibodies in New York livestock, suggesting that environmental shifts may increase future disease vulnerability in herds. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is your local agricultural community prepared for a potential livestock disease outbreak?

A Cornell study published on September 28, 2026, identified antibodies for the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in 34 New York livestock samples. The findings suggest that despite low overall prevalence, herd immunity levels in the state remain insufficient to prevent potential future infections.

Why it matters

The study highlights how environmental conditions, specifically hotter and drier summers, create breeding habitats for the biting midges that transmit the virus. Understanding these pathways is critical for protecting New York livestock from seasonal outbreaks linked to changing climate conditions.

Researchers tested 5,698 samples from cattle, sheep, and goats, finding antibodies in 0.6% of the total. Of these, 31 were from cattle and three from sheep, while zero goat samples tested positive.

The players

Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center

This facility conducts specialized veterinary research and diagnostics to monitor animal health trends across New York.

The details

The virus is transmitted to animals through biting midges, which thrive in the shallow water and exposed mud caused by drought. These findings follow a severe 2021 outbreak that caused 1,500 to 2,100 white-tailed deer deaths in the state.

New York experienced a significant virus outbreak in 2021.
The research findings were published on September 28, 2026.

Health Landscape

This research extends our understanding of the 2021 New York epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak by documenting subclinical viral exposure in domestic animals. It marks a departure from focusing only on wildlife populations, demonstrating that livestock face risks from the same midge-borne transmission cycles.

Livestock owners should be aware that drought conditions increase the risk of midge-borne transmission to their animals. Consulting with a veterinarian about herd health and monitoring for clinical signs during dry summers can help mitigate the impact of potential future outbreaks.

The takeaway

Proactive monitoring of environmental factors like drought is essential for identifying when midge populations are likely to peak. Livestock managers should maintain high standards of herd surveillance to detect signs of viral exposure early in the season.