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Dealing with the aftermath of the avian flu outbreak

There were close to four million hens in the northwest Iowa egg-laying operation that was hit with the avian influenza this week.  Those birds have to be euthanized and disposed of which is, according to USDA chief veterinarian Dr. John Clifford, a huge and costly undertaking.

“It’s a large volume of birds and you have to find a way to properly—in a biosecure way—handle those birds from a standpoint of disposal,” Clifford says, “whether it be through composting, burial, or whatever process you use.”

Clifford says their resources for dealing with the avian flu outbreaks are definitely being stretched.

“It has been somewhat of a strain,” he says. “We’re beginning to call in additional assistance.  We have an emergency reserve corps of private practitioners and retired veterinarians that are willing to help us.”

Earlier this week, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker authorized the National Guard to assist in the response to avian flu cases in three Wisconsin counties.  Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey says, so far, his department has been able to deal with Iowa’s two bird flu outbreaks.

“With cooperation we’ve received, including from the farmer at the site, we’ve been able to handle these situations and get our surveillance done and get our testing done,” Northey says, “and so we’re able to manage this situation.”

But Northey says if there are more outbreaks in the coming days, he may have to ask for more assistance.