Statewide Iowa (RI) — Six bird flu cases have already been confirmed in Iowa this year, and an expert at the USDA says warmer weather will ramp up the spring migration of wild birds and more incidents where entire flocks have to be euthanized.
Dr. Alan Huddleston, acting chief veterinary officer of the agency’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), says there are all sorts of ways highly pathogenic avian influenza may be spread.
Iowa’s first bird flu outbreak was in 2022, and since then, it’s been responsible for the deaths of almost 31 million birds statewide.
Iowa is the nation’s largest egg producer, and ranks seventh in turkey production. Huddleston says anyone who raises poultry on any scale needs to be strict about biosecurity.
Iowa has seen outbreaks in wild birds, backyard flocks, and commercial operations. Huddleston says the agency offers generous funding to help farms protect themselves.
Different species need to be kept separate, and he says producers should know the early signs of bird flu. If there might be a problem, he says to call the state veterinarian or USDA right away.
Since the outbreak started in 2022, more than 197 million birds nationwide have been affected, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, pheasants, and geese, posing a serious threat to poultry and producers’ livelihoods.
KIWA Staff Photo
