The Iowa Department of Agriculture issued an update late last week on the evolving situation of the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle and poultry flocks across various states. As of Friday, April 12, no confirmed cases of HPAI have been identified in cattle in Iowa, but Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says they are closely monitoring for cross-species transmission. He says, “There are still many questions that are not yet fully answered, so we will remain closely engaged as we carefully evaluate our response to these changing dynamics. Consumers can feel confident that pasteurized milk and dairy products and properly prepared poultry continue to be safe to enjoy.” Several other states, including Texas, Kansas, and North Carolina, have had HPAI cases in cattle recently. Despite a confirmed case in a dairy worker in Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to humans remains low. The Iowa Department of Agriculture urges farmers to collaborate with veterinarians and promptly report any suspicious illnesses in livestock. For further information on HPAI and biosecurity measures, follow the links included with this story on our website.
