Iowa - Avian influenza in mammals and livestock 2024

[Commonground]

[9th & 10th case as mentioned in Post 15]

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Two Sioux County Dairy Herds


DES MOINES, Iowa (June 21, 2024) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two dairy herds in Sioux County, Iowa. To date, the Department has announced ten detections of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa.

continued: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPA...-herds-June-21

[Commonground]

11th Herd

June 22, 2024
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Dairy in 11th Herd

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 22, 2024) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in Sioux County, Iowa. To date, the Department has announced 11 detections of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa.

continued: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/hig...nty-dairy-herd

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https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4451

[Commonground]

Secretary Naig Provides Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Response Measures within Iowa, Announces New Dairy Exhibition Requirements


DES MOINES, Iowa (June 25, 2024) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today provided an update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) state response measures, including announcing new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs and exhibitions. He also reiterated his request to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for resources for impacted farmers, and extended his appreciation to Iowa farmers for their cooperation with testing and research efforts that are increasing the broader understanding of this virus.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or a dairy issue, it’s an issue for all of agriculture. Our approach is reflective of our significant livestock industry, and I want to thank our farmers who have stepped up to help contribute to the broader understanding, visibility and knowledge of this virus,” said Secretary Naig. “We should expect additional challenges ahead and as the situation continues to evolve, we will also continue to evaluate our response. We continue to support our farmers through the joint state and federal response team who are navigating this evolving and unpredictable situation.”

Dairy Exhibitions and Fairs
To help minimize the potential spread of virus, dairy exhibitors will be required to submit additional tests before their dairy cattle can be transported to a show. The Department is announcing an order for fairs and exhibitions that will go into effect on July 1, 2024. The order will require dairy exhibitors participating in Iowa fairs or exhibitions to complete testing for HPAI within 7 days of moving to the exhibition. The statewide order can be viewed on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

“The Department is issuing a statewide order effective July 1 that will require additional tests for HPAI prior to dairy cattle participating at our state’s many fairs and exhibitions,” said Secretary Naig. “We want to strike a balance between allowing our 4-H, FFA, and dairy exhibitors the opportunity to show their animals, while also requiring additional testing to protect our livestock and minimize the potential spread of the virus.”

Response Measures

Testing Update
Following the announcement made on June 7 of additional HPAI response measures in Iowa, including the required testing of dairy herds within a 20-kilometer radius around infected poultry farms, the quantity of tests has been ramping up. Additionally, farmers outside of testing radiuses have also been submitting tests for their herds. Iowa has detected additional positive tests because of increased testing, and it is likely that we will continue to report new positives as more tests are conducted. The Department encourages dairy farms not subject to mandatory testing to continue to voluntarily participate in testing to help with the broader research effort. Farms with cattle displaying clinical signs are required to report them. While the final details are still pending, the Department encourages Iowa farmers to participate in USDA’s voluntary herd status program.

Epidemiological Strike Teams
USDA has authorized additional epidemiological strike teams to assist with impacted poultry and dairy farms in Iowa. Researchers have been on the ground in Iowa over the past few weeks conducting interviews, looking for links between cases, and trying to better understand how the virus may have been introduced into the flocks and herds. Investigations are ongoing and are intended to result in specific biosecurity recommendations that can help farmers and producers better protect their livestock going forward.

USDA Wildlife Services
USDA Wildlife Services personnel continue to work with impacted farms to assist in the surveying of disease in wildlife around Iowa poultry and dairy facilities. From wild birds to rodents, these professionals are capturing wildlife samples for testing to determine the degree to which the virus is present in wildlife on these farms. These investigations, which are ongoing, are helping to inform biosecurity recommendations as well as aid in epidemiological investigations.

Further Research
In addition to research conducted through genomic sequencing, herd testing, wildlife surveys, epidemiological investigations and much more, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is also coordinating with USDA and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine to set up longer-term research studies to help learn more about the impact of this virus and how best to mitigate it.

Request for USDA Resources for Impacted Farmers
On June 7, Secretary Naig made several of requests of USDA to support impacted dairy and poultry farmers. Conversations are continuing, but as of June 25, USDA has not yet made any final decisions regarding Secretary Naig’s requests. These requests included compensation for cull dairy cattle at fair market value, compensation for lost milk production at a minimum 90 percent of fair market value, revisions to poultry indemnity tables to better reflect the fair market value of impacted birds and/or eggs, and a streamlined and timely process for farmers to be compensated for lost production and to receive indemnity. Secretary Naig will continue to request assistance for affected livestock producers.

“By cooperating with testing protocols, welcoming epidemiological researchers, coordinating with USDA Wildlife Service professionals and many other steps, our farmers are helping to provide valuable information that will assist the industry well beyond Iowa’s borders,” said Secretary Naig. “In recognition of the significant disruptions and production losses this virus is causing, and because they are working with researchers during this stressful time, dairy and poultry farmers should receive financial assistance from USDA. Many of these same farms are now also contending with significant and devasting flooding.”

About HPAI
HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations as well as lactating dairy cattle. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.

Iowa Cases
To date, Iowa has announced eleven positive cases of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa. Nine of the cases have been detected in Sioux County, with one case each in O’Brien and Plymouth Counties. Iowa has had three poultry cases thus far in 2024, including one case in a commercial chicken layer in Sioux County and two cases in commercial turkey flocks. One of the turkey flocks is located in Cherokee County while the other is located in Sac County.

Heightened Biosecurity
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the Department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy, should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.[/B]

Continued: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPA...ry-exhibitions

[Treyfish]

Double Trouble from Flooding and H5N1 hits Some Iowa Farms
By RHONDA BROOKS
June 25, 2024
Active flooding is still underway in parts of Iowa due to the more than 15 inches of rain that fell on parts of the state, particularly the northwest region, over the weekend, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

“There were folks literally being rescued off of rooftops and flown out of the flooded areas,” Naig told AgriTalk Host Chip Flory on Tuesday. “After a couple of days, we will be able to come in and start to get a sense of what the enormity of what's happened is and the size of the impact on the ag landscape.”

The devastation led to a disaster proclamation from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the evacuation of thousands of Iowa residents from the area.....

...Naig said state officials won’t have a full sense of the crop damage or number of livestock lost in the region until the flood waters recede....

Added Stress On Dairies

For dairy producers in northwest Iowa, the floods arrived on top of challenges they already faced from dealing with cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) or efforts to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

“Unfortunately, a lot of our cases are in dairies up in that area,” Naig said. “Think of the added stress that those folks are experiencing right now.”

Naig said, in total, Iowa has confirmed 11 dairies and three poultry sites where H5N1 has been found.

“Don't be surprised if you continue to hear about some additional cases in the state of Iowa, because here's the point – we're looking for it,” Naig said. “Our farmers are testing. Turns out, when you look for it, you can find it. I think this is a little wider spread than maybe what is just being confirmed.”



Naig said he commends the Iowa dairy industry for being proactive in reporting any positive cases. When cases are confirmed, he said the state can bring in a USDA epidemiological strike team to look for clues to how H5N1 is being transmitted.

“If we're going to experience the pain of having positive cases, let's learn as much as we can, so that we can craft biosecurity strategies to address those things that are found to be the cause of transmission,” he said.

Wide Range Of Symptoms And Outcomes
Naig added that the scope of H5N1 infections has varied between farms as well as in individual animals.

“I think maybe early on, folks said, ‘Oh, it's really just a kind of a minimal milk production loss, and then everything gets back to normal.’ I don't think it's quite that way,” he said. “Some (producers) aren’t seeing clinical signs while others see acute infections and significant milk losses. We are also hearing about some cattle mortality, though it's maybe because of a secondary infection or condition that actually causes that mortality.”
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https://www.agweb.com/news/crops/cro...ome-iowa-farms

[sharon sanders]

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Two Sioux County Dairies


DES MOINES, Iowa (June 27, 2024) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two dairy herds in Sioux County, Iowa. To date, the Department has announced 13 detections of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa.

About HPAI
HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations as well as lactating dairy cattle. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.

Heightened Biosecurity
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the Department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy, should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.

Suspected Cases in Dairy
If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of HPAI in dairy may include:
• Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
• Clear nasal discharge
• Drop in milk production
• Tacky or loose feces
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Suspected Cases in Poultry
If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of HPAI in birds may include:
• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Stumbling and/or falling down
• Diarrhea

Food Safety
There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. It also remains safe to enjoy poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

Public Health
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe the threat to the general public remains low. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at alex.murphy@hhs.iowa.gov.

List of Confirmed Cases
As HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.

https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPAI-2-sioux-co-dairies-June-27

[Pathfinder]

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

(Video)

Iowa Press | Episode
Jul 12, 2024 | 27 min

On this edition of Iowa Press, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses the current bird flu outbreak and its impacts, as well as other ag-related issues.
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Transcript
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Sostaric: Another issue farmers are dealing with is bird flu. It is being found in dairy herds in the state. Iowa has a unique testing approach compared to other states. Can you explain why you think that is necessary here in Iowa?

Naig: Yeah, unfortunately we're third year of dealing with high path avian influenza. So, you go back to the spring of '22, '22 spring, fall '22, spring '23, fall '23 we had high path but it was specifically related to poultry sites. And unfortunately, we have a lot of experience with that in the state of Iowa both in terms of the industry and our team. So, you go and you look at that situation and you say, we know what to do, it's unpleasant, it's hard work, it's devastating to the producer, but we know what to do. Earlier this year, or late last year, or earlier this calendar year, somewhere in that vicinity you had a spillover event that occurred from poultry into dairy, same virus that spilled over and is now moving also through the dairy herds throughout the country. And sure enough, it came to Iowa and we started to detect, we had poultry sites and dairy sites that were positive with the same virus. And what we got to looking at was we need to understand this in a more holistic approach. So, if we were just a dairy state, we could handle it like just a dairy issue. But we're not, we're the number one egg producing state, we're a significant turkey producing state, swine, beef, dairy, all together in close proximity. We needed to get a better view of that. So, we did take the approach, which no other state had done, was to look around those positive poultry sites and test those dairies and say what's going on? But if we're going to experience the pain and know that we have those positive sites, well then we better understand what is happening. And so, I ordered in an epidemiological strike team from USDA, appreciate that they sent that team. And so, you went farm by farm looking at and trying to understand the connections. Where's the feed truck going? Who is on and off of that farm? Connecting the dots, we're doing research on the farm that no other state is doing as well really trying to understand how high path moves through a herd and what are the possible ways that it's moving off of the farm or onto the farm? So, that is what that testing approach has allowed us to do is look at the wildlife in the area, do the epi work and also do research on the farm. I think what we're going to get when we get to the end of this, maybe in weeks or even months, is that we're going to actually have specific strategies then that farmers can use to better protect their operations. But if you're not testing, you don't know where it is, you can't do that kind of work. So, I think it just underscores that we're going to treat these things like all ag issues and all livestock issues and not treat it specifically for one species. That's our Iowa approach. I believe it will pay dividends. We'll see here as the results come in.

Sostaric: And you mentioned the USDA strike teams. Are they still in Iowa? Or is there any more assistance that you're requesting from the USDA?

Naig: Yeah, at this point the epi teams that were on the ground here, knock on wood, we haven't seen some new cases in the past couple of weeks, they have been able to go back home to where they are in other states. They have day jobs and we appreciate that they literally take time, they set things aside, they come here, they really work intensely at it. And now they're back doing the work, putting the information together so that we will have a report and that report will become public. I haven't seen the results of that yet. But we will start to see, what are the connections? How did things move? And again, this is all about trying to create strategies. So, epi team came in, they're back out now, we've got resources with the USDA in the state on a normal basis and we're managing through it that way now. If we see a surge, I will once again ask for help.

Henderson: Iowa State University researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine have some research that has just come out about bird flu identifying that in the mammary glands of a cow that is where it is attaching the virus. And maybe thinking that the virus is being spread by the milking equipment.

Naig: This is the type of thing that we're learning. So, what we know about this is that it clearly, the virus clearly has an affinity for the utter, for the mammary glands. It is expressed there. You can find it -- the testing actually that was developed for this at Iowa State Diagnostic Lab is that you are taking samples from the raw milk that is coming off of those dairies and you can find the virus there. I should note that pasteurization deactivates the virus and that has been proven as well. But that is how you can find it. So, it clearly, the virus, if you will, settles into the udder and that is how it is expressed. The dairy cow itself may experience symptoms like you and I would for the flu, but they get over it, but it may harbor longer in that udder and that is, again, how you are trying to track those things over time. We're doing some longitudinal studies on farms where you're literally testing every animal on a farm and you're going to track that over time so you can try to figure out how does this move and how does it exit? Because it will, it will eventually exit that herd and you want to be able to track those things and have an expectation of how long does that last.

Henderson: One other quick question about bird flu, and we've got a lot of other subjects. It has been found in northwest Iowa. A lot of dairy farms in northeast Iowa. Why not?

Naig: Well, that is where we have confirmed cases. And I think this is maybe something that we are finding it because we're looking for it. And I would say this is a broader issue than where you have confirmed cases. Now, it does appear that initially there was animal movements from Texas, Kansas, places like that, that originally brought these things to other states. Where it went from there may or may not be connected to animal movements. That's where you start to have these lateral things happening, other vectors. So, I can't sit here -- I will tell you that we did, the testing that we did in northwest Iowa around those poultry sites, roughly only a third of the testing that we did of those roughly 30 dairies came back positive. That means two-thirds were not. This is not everywhere, not every herd is being affected by it. So, there's every reason to believe that it might not be in northeast Iowa, or maybe it is and folks just don't necessarily know what they're looking at. So, this is the point of raising the awareness, doing the testing, looking, finding it and then understanding it. So, right now it is really a northwest Iowa phenomenon.

Murphy: And real quick before we move on, there have been some cases, very few but cases confirmed in other states of it passing to humans. That has not happened in Iowa, correct?

Naig: Not happened in Iowa and it's not because we haven't looked. Part of the normal protocol here is that when you've got high path on a farm that we work together with Health and Human Services and public health and county public health and emergency management, all of those pieces, so that you make, they make an outreach to the farm and say, is anybody experiencing symptoms? If they are, if you're concerned, this is not mandatory by any means, but if you want to get tested, they track those things. So, we have tested some workers in the state of Iowa. There have been no positives. But you've seen just a few, just a handful. And they've been dairy workers and typically it has been conjunctivitis. If you're working around milk or around cattle, you can imagine how you may end up coming into contact with some milk. And so that appears to be how that has been playing out. So, as of right now, oh by the way, there's no evidence of human-to-human spread, which of course is very good news for all of us. And why it is important that we manage these things as animal health issues, try to deal with them on the farm where they don't become human health or food safety issues.
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https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapress/iowa-press/episode/11297/iowa-secretary-agriculture-mike-naig

[Pathfinder]

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals

Last Modified: July 16, 2024
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State Country Date Collected Date Detected HPAI Strain Species

Iowa Sioux 6/18/2024 7/8/2024 EA H5N1 Raccoon

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals

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https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4451