Des Moines, IA (KICD)– For the first time in more than seven months a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says the case was found in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County last week, but no specifics about how many birds were affected have been released.
HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease affecting bird populations that can travel in wild birds and is often fatal to domestic populations.
Commercial and backyard floc owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild animals. Anyone suspected their flock may have been infected should contact a veterinarian immediately with possible cases also being communicated to the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the recent detections of HPAI do not present a public health concern and that it remains safe to eat poultry products.
The last confirmed case of HPAI in Iowa goes back to March 14th in Chickasaw County with the Northwest Iowa having been free of the disease since it was last found in Buena Vista County in January.
Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Disaster Proclamation for Buena Vista County following the report of the finding which will make state resources for Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and other agencies to assist with monitoring, containment, disposal and disinfection.
