Iowa - Two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hamilton and Calhoun counties

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Monday, June 1, 2015 Dustin Vande Hoef 515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing Services0

TWO CASES OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN HAMILTON AND CALHOUN COUNTIES CDC considers the risk to people to be low DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Hamilton and Calhoun counties. 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. Hamilton 2 - Turkey farm with an estimated 36,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality. The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames has confirmed the site as positive for highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza. Calhoun 2 – Turkey farm with an estimated 21,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality. 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 Stewardship’s 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. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EXPERTS FROM ACROSS IOWA SUPPORTING RESPONSE EFFORTS Fifteen members of the Iowa Hazardous Materials Task Force were activated this past weekend to assist the USDA with the monitoring of bio-security, cleaning and decontamination activities at infected premises and landfills impacted by the avian influenza outbreak. Members of the task force are employed by fire departments from the cities of Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Muscatine and Sioux City. In addition, Capt. Mike Cheney of Cedar Rapids Fire Department Hazmat and Special Operations provided technical assistance to the USDA in the development of cleaning and decontamination procedures for use at impacted sites and landfills. Nine Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship staff are also assisting at infected premises to help monitor bio-security, cleaning and decontamination activities. USDA UPDATE ON DEPOPULATION AND DISPOSAL The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Incident Response reported that on Sunday, May 31, 18 loads of material were transported along Iowa Department of Transportation-approved routes to two landfills and one incinerator at a landfill for disposal, bringing the total number of transported containers to 76. Any material from affected poultry premises landfilled or incinerated will be done under criteria approved by the state Department of Natural Resources. The week of June 1st, finance staff from the Incident Response will meet with individual producers to review and assist in preparation of paperwork necessary for indemnity and appraisal. The private meetings Monday through Wednesday, June 1-3, will take place in at offices in the affected areas. Producers may contact 970-556-2497 to schedule an appointment. USDA will continue to do everything it can to support states and producers so that we are able to provide a much-needed safety net to the poultry producers who are experiencing economic hardships as a result of losses due to the disease. Federal law gives USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) the authority to depopulate affected flocks to contain or stop the spread of the disease. To encourage early reporting of disease issues, farmers are paid for euthanized animals, which helps stop an outbreak and support impacted farmers at the same time. When depopulation occurs, APHIS will give the producer an indemnity payment equal to the fair market value of the animal. APHIS also offers indemnity for materials, such as tools or pallets, which must be destroyed because they cannot be disinfected after contact with infected animals or animal matter. USDA has more than 1700 staff and contractors helping respond to the avian influenza situation in Iowa. Depopulation has been completed on all previously announced turkey sites and nearly 22.1 million commercial layers and pullets have been euthanized as of May 31. .../ http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press...ss06012015.asp