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Iowa Ag Department takes additional steps to protect poultry from high-path avian flu
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is canceling all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings because of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the order begins immediately and at minimum lasts 30 days after any new infection in the state.
Speaking to Brownfield at the Midwest Turkey Federation Convention in Minneapolis Wednesday, Iowa Turkey Federation director Gretta Irwin said there have not been any recent cases.
“So we just continue to hope our biosecurity is holding and farmers are just being cautious and watching what they do in making sure they’re protecting their bird health right now.”
The department’s order also prohibits live birds from being sold or transferred at livestock auction markets, swap meets and exotic sales.
Naig says Iowa has more than six million birds impacted by high path avian flu across five commercial and backyard poultry flocks.