News

Four new avian flu cases in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to four probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry farms in Buena Vista and Kossuth counties, according to a news release.  These four new cases bring the total number of cases of the disease in Iowa to 12. State officials have quarantined the premises and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

The four new cases all experienced increased mortality.  In each of the cases, initial testing were positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

Buena Vista 2 – Turkey farm with an estimated 50,000 birds.

Buena Vista 3 – Turkey farm with the estimated number of birds still pending.

Buena Vista 4 – Commercial laying operation with an estimated 63,000 birds.

Kossuth County – Chicken breeder farm with an estimated 19,000 birds.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health consider the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.  No human infections with the virus have ever been detected there is no food safety risk for consumers.
These virus strains can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, hands should be washed with soap and water and clothes should be changed before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard flock owners, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian at 515-281-5321 or through USDA’s toll-free number at 866-536-7593.