Sioux County, Iowa (KCRG) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has detected another case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County, Iowa.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is making several requests of the USDA to aid affected dairy and poultry farmers and to assist in disease research and response. Additional response measures to combat the threat of HPAI to poultry and dairy within Iowa are also being addressed.
HPAI (also known as bird flu) 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 the 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.”
Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:
Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signsLethargy and/or lack of energy and appetiteDecrease in egg productionSoft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggsSwelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocksPurple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legsDifficulty breathingCoughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)Stumbling and/or falling downDiarrhea
Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:
Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in ruminationClear nasal dischargeDrop in milk productionTacky or loose fecesLethargyDehydrationFeverThicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk
Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.
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.
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.
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