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Iowa - Avian influenza in mammals and livestock 2024-2025

Commonground

Commonground

Senior Moderator
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in an O’Brien County Dairy Herd[/B]


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 O’Brien County, Iowa. Final confirmatory testing is pending at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames.

The affected farm is a dairy herd, and this is Iowa’s first reported case of HPAI within a dairy. To date, APHIS has confirmed over 80 dairy cases on farms in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho, New Mexico and Colorado.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will soon be announcing additional response measures.

Additionally, genomic sequencing of the virus that was detected at the Sioux County farm announced on May 28 was determined by the NVSL in Ames to be consistent with the variant identified in affected dairies in other states. Sequencing is not yet completed on the virus detected at a recent turkey flock in Cherokee County or this dairy in O’Brien County. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to try to determine how the virus was introduced into the flocks and herd.

“Given the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa. While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry. Our team at the Department has been preparing for this possibility and will soon be announcing additional response steps to protect our flocks and herds,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors, and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the Department. This remains an evolving situation and we will continue to be in close communication with stakeholders, USDA, and other states as we evaluate our response. Our top priority is to protect our livestock and the farmers and people who care for them.”​

https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPAI-obrien-county-dairy-herd
 
Bird flu found in Iowa cattle for first time

BY: JARED STRONG - JUNE 5, 2024 5:13 PM

​
A highly transmissible avian flu has infected dairy cattle of an O’Brien County herd in far northwest Iowa, according to state agriculture officials.

It is the first detection of bird flu in Iowa cattle and follows recent discoveries of the virus in poultry flocks in nearby counties.
​….

Naig said unspecified “additional response steps” are forthcoming from the department.

Iowa has about 850 dairy farms that range in size from 25 to 10,000 cows. A typical dairy has about 250.

Iowa is the 10th state with a confirmed infection in dairy cattle. The virus was first identified in Texas cattle in March, where it had festered for months as a mysterious illness. Wild birds are believed to be the source of the initial infections.
​….

The other recent poultry infection in Iowa happened in Cherokee County, in a flock of about 103,000 turkeys. Genetic analyses of that virus and the one that infected the dairy herd are pending, IDALS said. The department is also attempting to uncover how the flocks and herd were infected.

The infected herd was discovered because the dairy operator noticed symptoms consistent with bird flu infection and contacted IDALS, which helped facilitate the testing, said Don McDowell, a spokesperson for the department.
​:tiphat:
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/06/05/bird-flu-found-in-iowa-cattle-for-first-time/
 
Iowa Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Dairy, Additional Response Measures and Requests of USDA Announced

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Dairy, Additional Response Measures and Requests of USDA Announced


[editting is mine]

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 7, 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 herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County, Iowa.

Additionally, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is making several requests of USDA to aid affected dairy and poultry farmers and to assist in disease research and response. The Department is also announcing additional response measures to combat the threat of HPAI to poultry and dairy within Iowa.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to pose a significant threat to our livestock and the livelihoods of the farmers that care for them. To better prepare and respond to this challenge, the Department is taking additional response measures and is making additional resource requests of USDA in order to support this ongoing and collaborative effort,” said Secretary Naig. “Our team remains in daily communication with USDA, other states, farm organizations and industry stakeholders and we will be continually evaluating our response steps as new information arises. This is going to take the entire agricultural community working together because we all have a stake in protecting the herds and flocks of Iowa.”

Request for Additional USDA Resources
Secretary Naig is requesting resources from USDA that will support impacted poultry and dairy farmers as well as enhance state response efforts. The Secretary’s request includes the following:

For farmers:
• Provide compensation for cull dairy cattle at fair market value.
• Provide compensation for lost milk production at a minimum of 90 percent of fair market value.
• Revise poultry indemnity tables to better reflect the fair market value of the impacted birds and/or eggs.
• Present a streamlined and timely process for farmers to be compensated for lost production and to receive indemnity.

For state response efforts:
• Authorize additional epidemiological strike teams to assist with both poultry and dairy in Iowa.
• Provide additional USDA Wildlife Services personnel to assist in the surveying of disease in wildlife around Iowa poultry and dairy facilities.
• Accelerate funding for research to strengthen and enhance producer mitigation strategies.

Additional State Response Measures
The Department is updating existing testing protocols to include testing of dairy farms around infected poultry sites. This is a longstanding protocol already in place for poultry. This requirement will provide a better understanding of the possible spread of the virus and allow the Department to enhance its response capabilities.

Because there is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products, no restrictions on the shipment of milk are planned. No intrastate movement restrictions are being placed on dairy cattle at this time. USDA’s federal order regulating the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle remains in effect.

The Department continues to strongly recommend dairy farmers and poultry producers incorporate comprehensive biosecurity protocols on their farms.

Exhibitions
With the fair and exhibition season quickly approaching, the Department is considering additional requirements for exhibition participants.

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
It 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. It is a longstanding practice that only milk from healthy animals may enter the food supply. 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.

Public Health
Though recent cases of HPAI were confirmed in dairy workers in Texas and Michigan, 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. There are no known human cases in Iowa.

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-dairy-sioux-county
​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Dairy
​
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 12, 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 herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County, Iowa.​
-snip-
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.​

continued: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPAI-sioux-county-dairy-June-12
 
:tiphat: 1700 cows..

Bird flu found in cows at third dairy in Iowa, state ag agency reports

Donnelle Eller
Des Moines Register

A third dairy herd in Iowa has tested positive highly pathogenic avian influenza, the state’s Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday.

The 1,700-cow herd is in Sioux County, where the state's second dairy outbreakwas reported Friday. The first was reported June 5 in O’Brien County, which neighbors Sioux County in northwest Iowa….:tiphat:

​https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...in-northwest-iowa-with-1700-cows/74075994007/
 
Bird flu poses unanswered questions in leap to dairy cows


Bird flu now has struck three dairy cow herds in Iowa, ag officials announce
Caleb McCullough, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
Jun. 12, 2024 2:37 pm, Updated: Jun. 12, 2024 3:39 pm
​…

DES MOINES — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sent a “strike team” to Iowa to assist it with testing after the highly contagious bird flu usually associated with poultry flocks now has been discovered in three dairy cow herds in the state.

The presence of the virus in dairy cows presents a new challenge and a number of unanswered questions, experts said. The virus primarily affects birds, but has been observed in mammals for years and made the jump to dairy cows in the United States for the first time in March.

It was detected last week in two Northwest Iowa herds, and Wednesday in yet another Northwest Iowa dairy herd.
​….


The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will begin testing dairy farms within 20 kilometers — or over 12 miles — of any poultry farm where the virus is detected, said department spokesperson Don McDowell.

“This existing testing protocol, long in place for poultry, is expanding to now include dairy,” McDowell said. “Of course, we always encourage dairies anywhere within Iowa to reach out to the department if they have cattle expressing clinical signs” of bird flu.
​…:tiphat:
https://www.thegazette.com/agriculture/bird-flu-poses-unanswered-questions-in-leap-to-dairy-cows/
 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Cases Detected in Two Northwest Iowa Dairies

​DES MOINES, Iowa (June 14, 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 two cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Northwest Iowa. One case is in a Plymouth County dairy and the other is in a Sioux County dairy.

...https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPAI-detected-2-NW-iowa-dairies
 
image.png
​

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4451
 
[this in addition to the 2 herds posted in Post #7 on June 15th)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Dairy


DES MOINES, Iowa (June 17, 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 herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County, Iowa.​

...https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPAI-sioux-county-dairy-June17
 
…..
Here is a timeline of highly pathogenic avian influenza infection reports in Iowa herds and flocks this year:

— May 28: A commercial egg-laying chicken flock in Sioux County with about 4.2 million birds.
— June 2: A commercial turkey flock in Cherokee County with about 103,000 birds.
— June 5: A dairy herd in O’Brien County with about 4,500 cattle.
— June 7: A dairy herd in Sioux County with about 250 cattle.
— June 12: A dairy herd in Sioux County with about 1,700 cattle.
— June 14: A dairy herd in Sioux County with about 1,000 cattle.
— June 14: A dairy herd in Plymouth County with about 3,000 cattle.
— June 15: A dairy herd in Sioux County with about 520 cattle.
— June 17: A dairy herd in Sioux County with about 10,000 cattle.
​:tiphat:
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/06/17/large-sioux-county-dairy-has-bird-flu/
 
Large Sioux County, Iowa, dairy has bird flu

BY: JARED STRONG - JUNE 17, 2024 9:04 PM

​
One of the largest dairy farms in the state — with a herd of about 10,000 in Sioux County — has cattle that are infected with avian flu, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported Monday.

It is the seventh Iowa dairy herd with a confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza infection. Five of those are in Sioux County, which has the most dairy cows of any Iowa county, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
​….
:tiphat:
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/large-sioux-county-iowa-dairy-has-bird-flu/
 
Bird flu hits another Northwest Iowa dairy cattle herd

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

Jun. 19, 2024 5:21 pm
​

Avian influenza has been detected in another dairy cattle herd in Sioux County, making it the eighth confirmed case of bird flu in Iowa cows, the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

The latest bird flu outbreak has infected only two flocks in Iowa.
​…..
:tiphat:
https://www.thegazette.com/state-go...its-another-northwest-iowa-dairy-cattle-herd/
 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Dairy Herd


DES MOINES, Iowa (June 19, 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 eight detections of HPAI within Iowa dairy herds.

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.

### About the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship


Led by Secretary Mike Naig, the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship serves the rural and urban residents that call Iowa home. Through its 14 diverse bureaus, the Department ensures animal health, food safety and consumer protection. It also promotes conservation efforts to preserve our land and enhance water quality for the next generation. Learn more at iowaagriculture.gov.

Media Contact:
Don McDowell
Communications Director
515-281-3375
Don.McDowell@IowaAgriculture.gov
​
https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/HPAI-sioux-co-dairy-June-19-2024
 
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County.

HPAI can travel in wild birds, but is often fatal to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. Less than a month ago the USDA announced bird flu had been found among dairy cows in several states. Now, they are tightening the restrictions on taking those livestock over state lines.

On Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds authorized a disaster proclamation for Sac County, Iowa effective immediately through July 20, 2024, which gives state resources to agencies helping to track and monitor cases, as well as help with rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection.

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry 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
Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows 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
https://www.kcrg.com/2024/06/20/bird-flu-detected-turkey-flock-sac-county/
 
Two more dairy herds in Sioux County hit with bird flu

This is the 7th and 8th case to hit a dairy farm in Sioux County in the month of June, and the 9th and 10th cases to affect a dairy farm in the state.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
By KCRG Staff
Published: Jun. 21, 2024 at 4:21 PM EDT|Updated: 57 minutes ago​

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The hits keep coming for dairy farmers in Sioux County after the USDA announced two more herds have been infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

This is the 7th and 8th case to hit a dairy farm in Sioux County in the month of June, and the 9th and 10th cases to affect a dairy farm in the state.

HPAI can travel in wild birds but is often fatal to domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys. Just over a month ago, the USDA announced bird flu had been found among dairy cows in several states. Now, they are tightening the restrictions on taking those livestock over state lines.
​….
:tiphat:
https://www.kcrg.com/2024/06/21/two-more-dairy-herds-sioux-county-hit-with-bird-flu/
 
[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/HPAI-2-sioux-co-dairy-herds-June-21
​
 
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/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-sioux-county-dairy-herd
 
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/HPAI-update-dairy-exhibitions
 
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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:tiphat:
https://www.agweb.com/news/crops/cr...rouble-flooding-and-h5n1-hits-some-iowa-farms​
 
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