Bird flu cases prompt Iowa to limit movement of live birds

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa agriculture official on Thursday restricted the motion of dwell birds within the state as a response to a return of fowl flu with the autumn migration of untamed birds.

State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand signed an order cancelling all occasions the place dwell birds are introduced collectively, together with fowl gross sales, auctions, swap meets and exhibitions. The order is efficient for no less than 30 days and can be in impact till 30 days have handed with out a constructive affirmation of fowl flu in Iowa.

The newest case in Iowa was reported Tuesday in Louisa County in a yard flock of 20 birds. An egg laying farm was recognized Nov. 6 in Wright County, the place greater than 1 million chickens needed to be killed.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation of catastrophe emergency for the county to activate a catastrophe response and restoration program licensed by state regulation that enables state businesses to assist with the response. That help consists of limiting importation and motion of birds when obligatory and aiding within the killing and disposal of contaminated flocks.

In 2022, fowl flu has been detected in 17 industrial flocks and 5 yard flocks in Iowa. Greater than 15 million birds in Iowa have been killed to cease the unfold of the virus amongst rooster and turkey flocks.

Nationally, greater than 50 million birds have been killed in 46 states.