Two more western Iowa counties have confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). On Monday, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) identified the bird flu in a commercial turkey flock in Pocahontas County and a backyard flock in Guthrie County. These cases come only a few days after the first cases in Iowa since March were confirmed on Friday in a Buena Vista County commercial turkey flock. Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes it remains safe to eat poultry products if they are handled and cooked correctly. On Monday, Gov. Kim Reynolds also issued a disaster proclamation for Pocahontas County to provide state resources to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions for commercial vehicles responding to affected sites. More information about HPAI and how to prevent it is included below.
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https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/iowa-department-agriculture-encourages-vigilance-against-HPAI
https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/biosecurity
https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/avian-influenza
