The latest outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has made its way into more Iowa counties, including one in the Carroll Broadcasting listening area. On Tuesday, officials with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed positive bird flu cases in commercial turkey flocks in Sac and Cherokee Counties. Officials announced on Dec. 2 that HPAI had been identified in nearby Buena Vista County. Flock owners are encouraged to closely monitor their poultry and watch for any signs of unusual illnesses or deaths. Producers should prevent contact between their flocks and wild birds to reduce bird flu transmission and contact state and federal officials immediately if HPAI is suspected. The latest data from the USDA shows an estimated 52.8 million birds have been affected by this year’s outbreaks, including 15.5 million in Iowa. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes bird flu does not pose a serious risk to public health as human cases are rare and infected birds are not permitted to enter the food supply.
