Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an order Friday extending disaster proclamations for six Iowa counties currently combating outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) for another month. The order, which will now expire on Dec. 17, includes Buena Vista, Clay, Hamilton, Kossuth, Pocahontas, and Taylor Counties. It allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to be used to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The order also waives regulatory provisions concerning commercial vehicles responding to affected sites. State officials encourage backyard and commercial flock owners to closely monitor their birds for unusual illness or death and contact their veterinarian if HPAI is suspected. According to the USDA, 13 outbreaks have been detected in the last 30 days, affecting more than 1.3 million birds.
