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Naig concerned about year-round HPAI threat

Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to impact poultry producers across the Midwest despite cooler conditions.

Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the state has seen a rise in cases this fall.

“It’s not surprising given that we’ve seen that activity continue in states to our north,” he said. “It is now very clear that as those wild migratory birds are moving south, they are once again carrying that virus back through our area.”

Iowa has had 29 confirmed HPAI cases this year, including six this month. Naig says poultry producers need to focus on year-round biosecurity.

“While we may have thought that high path (avian influenza) was just a spring occurrence, it’s clear now that this is a year-round threat,” Naig said. “Cold weather doesn’t preclude us from having new high path cases.”

He says an order canceling all live bird exhibitions will remain in effect for a minimum of 30 days after any new infection in the state.