Iowa - Two probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Adair and Webster counties

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[TD][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 26, 2015[/FONT][/TD]
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[TD="width: 43%"][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Dustin Vande Hoef
515/281-3375 or 515/326-1616 (cell)
or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov[/FONT][/TD]
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[TD="width: 24%"][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Share on facebook[/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Share on twitter[/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Share on email[/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Share on print[/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]More Sharing Services[/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]0[/FONT][/TD]
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[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]TWO PROBABLE CASES OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN ADAIR AND WEBSTER COUNTIES
CDC considers the risk to people to be low[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to two probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Adair and Webster counties. With the new announcements, Iowa now has 66 cases of the disease in the state. The Department has quarantined the premises 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.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Adair 1 – Commercial laying operation with an estimated 975,000 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.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Webster 1 – Commercial laying operation with an estimated 160,000 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.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]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.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]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.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]USDA UPDATE ON DEPOPULATION AND DISPOSAL[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Incident Response team in Iowa reported that 35 loads of biological materials were transported over the weekend to the Cherokee County Landfill and Recycling Center. The team anticipates that the large incinerator will begin processing materials this week. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]“This marks an encouraging step forward in the response, providing an additional method and location for the disposal of large numbers of affected poultry,” said Dr. Ken Angel, current Incident Commander of the USDA response in Iowa. After incineration at the landfill, the resulting ash will be deposited there.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Several safe methods are available to dispose of the poultry carcasses including composting, onsite burial, incineration, rendering, and landfilling, each with benefits and limitations. USDA and its State partners evaluate those methods based on factors such as the size of the flock, space requirements, associated costs, local conditions, and regulations. Some euthanized poultry are being composted, buried, or incinerated on-site at Iowa poultry premises when appropriate. In addition to the incinerator site in Cherokee County, two landfills have agreed to landfill remains under criteria set by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]USDA has more than 1500 staff and contractors helping respond to the avian influenza situation in Iowa. To date, depopulation has been completed on all previously announced turkey sites. Composting of turkeys is still ongoing. Also, 19.1 million commercial layers and pullets have been euthanized as of May 25.
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http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press...ss05262015.asp[/FONT]​

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