(Storm Lake)– The USDA has confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista county.
Governor Kim Reynolds today (Monday) signed a disaster proclamation for that county in response. It allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and other agencies to assist in the tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal and disinfection processes. It also waives regulatory provisions for commercial vehicles responding to the affected sites. The proclamation for Buena Vista county is effective immediately through April 5th, 2022.
Officials say HPAI does not present an immediate public health concern and that it is still safe to eat poultry products.
Producers are urged to be on the lookout for signs of HPAI in their flocks and to immediately contact their veterinarian if they observe them.
The case in Buena Vista county is the second one to be confirmed in Iowa. The first positive case was confirmed March 1st in a backyard non-commercial flock in Pottawattamie county.
