The Iowa Ag Department and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have confirmed two positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
One of the sites is a commercial turkey flock, and the other is a mixed species backyard flock. Both agencies remind commercial and backyard owners to prevent contact between their flocks and all wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds must be reported to state and federal officials. Other indications may include lethargy or no appetite, decreasing egg production – soft, thin-shelled, or misshapen eggs – swelling in the head or eyelid area, difficulty breathing or coughing, sneezing, falling down, and diarrhea.
If a producer in any state suspects HPAI in a flock, they should contact their veterinarian immediately and their state ag department. The CDC says the recent viral detection in birds doesn’t pose a public health concern, and it’s safe to eat poultry products.
The two cases in Iowa are following confirmed cases in South Dakota, Minnesota and Utah over the last two months. Iowa was the hardest hit state during last year’s outbreak of HPAI in March.