|
||||||||||||
ONE PROBABLE CASE OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN BUENA VISTA COUNTY CDC considers the risk to people to be low DES MOINES The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to a probable case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County. With this new announcement, Iowa now has 63 cases of the disease in the state. The Department has quarantined the premise and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease. Buena Vista 17 Commercial laying operation that has experienced increased mortality. An estimate on the number of birds is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza. Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames. As the Department receives final confirmations of the disease updated information will be posted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships website at www.iowaagriculture.gov/avianinfluenza.asp. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have ever been detected and there is no food safety risk for consumers. IOWA CONCERN HOTLINE AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS AVIAN INFLUENZA QUESTIONS Concerned residents both within and outside the areas affected by avian influenza are encouraged to use the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985 if they have questions or need disaster counseling. The Iowa Concern Hotline is available 24 hours a day. All calls are free and confidential, and the operators are willing to assist wherever possible. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach operates the hotline and is partnering with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Health, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department and Egg Industry Council to provide up-to-date information to Iowans about the disease. UPDATE ON ACTIVIES OF STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN RESPONSE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD)
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) in conjunction with local public health officials
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS)
Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Iowa National Guard
Background Information The United States has the strongest Avian Influenza (AI) surveillance program in the world. As part of the existing USDA avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners as well as industry are responding quickly and decisively to these outbreaks by following these five basic steps: 1) Quarantine restricting movement of poultry and poultry-moving equipment into and out of the control area; 2) Eradicate humanely euthanizing the affected flock(s); 3) Monitor region testing wild and domestic birds in a broad area around the quarantine area; 4) Disinfect kills the virus in the affected flock locations; and 5) Test confirm that poultry farms in the area are free of the virus. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health are working directly with poultry workers at the affected facility to ensure proper precautions are being taken. These virus strains can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds. All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard flock owners, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials, either through their state veterinarian at 515-281-5321 or through USDAs toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Information will also be posted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships website atwww.iowaagriculture.gov/avianinfluenza.asp. http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press...s05212015b.asp |
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Iowa - One probable case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County
Collapse
X
-
Iowa - One probable case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County
"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
-Nelson MandelaTags: None