Second Bird Flu Outbreak in a Week Affects 103K Turkeys at Iowa Facility
In the second bird flu outbreak within six days, nearly 103,000 turkeys have been infected at a commercial facility in Cherokee County, northwest Iowa. This incident follows a report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, May 28, which revealed that an egg facility with 4.2 million laying hens was also affected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
On Sunday, the agency announced the infection of 102,891 turkeys at another commercial operation. To prevent the spread of this highly contagious and fatal virus among domestic birds, all infected birds at both facilities will be culled. Experts believe the birds contract the disease from migrating wild birds that often do not show symptoms.
In response to the outbreak, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration for Cherokee County on Sunday. This proclamation enables the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Homeland Security, and other agencies to “assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection,” according to a news release.
Dormant Bird Flu Spread in 2024
These recent outbreaks are the first in Iowa since December, when a backyard flock was infected. This resurgence follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement in March that the virus had spread from poultry to cattle, with cases detected in dairy herds in Texas and Kansas.
The highly contagious disease has also been identified in cows in Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Dakota. Unlike domestic birds, infected dairy cows are capable of recovery.
On Thursday, May 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a third person had been diagnosed with bird flu. This individual was the first to exhibit “typical symptoms of acute respiratory illness associated with influenza virus infection.” Two other workers had reported mild eye infections. All three cases involved individuals who worked closely with infected dairy herds.
According to USDA data, since the outbreak began in 2022, Iowa poultry producers have lost 23.3 million birds to the disease, while the virus has claimed 96.6 million birds nationwide.
Safety of Beef, Dairy, and Poultry
State and federal officials assure that eggs, dairy, and beef in the United States remain safe for consumption. Milk from infected cows is removed from the food supply, with the Food and Drug Administration confirming that the pasteurization process “kills harmful bacteria and viruses.”
The Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed that no dairy herds in Iowa have been infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Workers are urged to take precautions to minimize transmission.
Dairy and poultry producers are required to report any potential cases to state officials to help manage and contain the disease effectively.
