Iowa - 11 people overcome by fumes at poultry barn in Lyon county

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11 People Overcome By Fumes At Poultry Barn

Date posted - May 20, 2015

George, Iowa ? Eleven people were overcome by fumes of some kind on Wednesday afternoon at a chicken confinement between George and Boyden.

According to Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep, the call came in about 2:40 PM, for eleven people experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, and respiratory problems...

The sheriff says that the people were washing the walls after a bird flu outbreak. He says they originally thought the gas was anhydrous ammonia, or ammonia of some kind, but the workers said that their gas masks should have protected them from that.


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http://kiwaradio.com/local-news/11-people-overcome-by-fumes-at-poultry-barn/

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PRESS RELEASES


LYON COUNTY


IOWA SHERIFF

5/20/2015 Ambulance On 5/20/2015 at approximately 1439 hrs the Lyon County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call from 3902 260th St, George, Iowa. The address is a chicken barn which was under quarantine because of Avian Influenza (bird flu). Eleven workers became sick while working in the barns. Patient's symptoms included vomiting, headaches, blurred vision and some respiratory problems. The George Fire Department, George Rescue Unit, Boyden Ambulance Service, Little Rock Ambulance Service, and the Lyon County Ambulance service all responded to this incident. Patients were transported to Sanford Sheldon and Sanford Rock Rapids Hospitals. (HS)

http://www.lyoncosheriff.com/press_releases

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Crews decontaminated after chicken farm accident

Posted: Wed 10:37 PM, May 20, 2015
By: Kelley Smith
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GEORGE, Iowa - Exposure to ammonia prompted an emergency crews response to a Lyon county Iowa farm, this afternoon.

Investigators say something went wrong as workers south of George were getting ready to euthanize chickens affected by the bird flu.

Since this happened at a farm contaminated by the virus not only was it crucial to help the victims of this accident, emergency crews had to work to ensure they didn't the spread disease to another farm.
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"Either the ammonia or all the other chemicals that were underneath the manure pile kind of went up in the air and made it tough for them to breath,? George EMS Squad EMT, Fred Landis explained.
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Fire trucks, ambulances, crew members were all contaminated
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Every person and every item from the bottom of a shoe, to underneath each vehicle was sprayed with disinfectant to kill any lingering virus.
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After nearly 4 hours, everyone was able to breathe a little easier.
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All 11 victims were sent to nearby hospitals as a precautionary measure.

The George fire chief says it's to make sure there isn't any permanent lung damage from breathing in the fumes.
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http://www.ksfy.com/news/headlines/Crews-decontaminated-after-chicken-farm-accident-304515501.html

[Emily]

Eleven treated for ammonia exposure at Iowa chicken farm

Posted: Wed 4:47 PM, May 20, 2015 Eleven chicken farm employees were treated for ammonia exposure this afternoon near George, Iowa.
The 11 workers were preparing to euthanize chickens that have the deadly bird flu virus. A pile of manure in the chicken barn was moved, releasing an ammonia cloud....

http://www.ksfy.com/home/headlines/Eleven-treated-for-ammonia-exposure-at-Iowa-chicken-farm-304482771.html

Reader's View: It?s time to stop thinking of birds as food

Posted on May 20, 2015 at 10:13 p.m.
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We consumers are removed from the ammonia that gets in the air from urine and the smell and particles from feces. For shed-raised birds, though, it?s breathe in, breathe out ? yuck...

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/readers-views/3749541-readers-view-its-time-stop-thinking-birds-food