By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in conjunction with the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in O’Brien County.
This marks the first such case in Iowa’s dairy sector, while over 80 cases have been reported in dairies across South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho, New Mexico, and Colorado.
The virus detected at a Sioux County farm on May 28 has been genetically linked to the variant found in other affected states, as confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.
Investigations are still ongoing to identify the source of the virus in both the Cherokee County turkey flock and the O'Brien County dairy herd.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the outbreak, noting that the spread of HPAI to Iowa's large dairy sector was anticipated.
He emphasized that while dairy cattle may recover with appropriate care, the virus remains lethal for poultry. The Iowa Department of Agriculture is gearing up to unveil further measures to combat the spread of the virus.
Secretary Naig urged poultry producers and dairy farmers to enhance their biosecurity protocols, restrict farm access to essential personnel only, and promptly report any symptomatic animals.
The state is committed to working closely with stakeholders, the USDA, and other affected states to coordinate an effective response. Protecting the livestock and the agricultural community from this contagious virus is a top priority as Iowa tackles this evolving threat.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Iowa, Livestock, Dairy Cattle