FOUR MORE POSITIVE CASES OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED IN IOWA, WITH THREE OF THE FARMS IN CLAY COUNTY AND THE FOURTH IN HAMILTON COUNTY.
THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REPORTS THAT THE THREE AFFECTED SITES IN CLAY COUNTY ARE GAME BIRD DUCK FARMS, WITH ONE OF THE FARMS ALSO CONTAINING A SMALL BACKYARD MIXED SPECIES FLOCK.
THE AFFECTED SITE IN HAMILTON COUNTY IS A FLOCK OF COMMERCIAL BREEDING CHICKENS.
ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, THE RECENT HPAI DETECTIONS IN BIRDS DO NOT PRESENT A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN.
AS ALWAYS, COMMERCIAL AND BACKYARD FLOCK OWNERS SHOULD TRY TO PREVENT CONTACT BETWEEN THEIR BIRDS AND WILD BIRDS.
SICK BIRDS OR UNUSUAL DEATHS AMONG BIRDS SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
