The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on Thursday ordered the cancellation of all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings due to the continued threat of bird flu.
The order also prohibits live birds from being sold or transferred at livestock auction markets, swap meets, and exotic sales. The Department of Agriculture’s order began immediately, and is in effect until 30 days has passed without confirmation of a new infection of bird flu in domestic poultry in the state.
A similar order was put in place in late March, and was lifted in early June. There have been 23 different cases in bird flu in flocks this year in Iowa. There were four cases in Buena Vista County in March, as well as a case in both Cherokee and Sac counties earlier this year. There have been four bird flu cases in the state so far this fall.
If producers suspect signs of bird flu in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing to be sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. Over 15-million birds in Iowa have died this year due to bird flu, or have been killed to stop the spread.
