(Des Moines) The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), have confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County, Iowa.
HPAI is a viral disease that affects wild and domestic bird populations and lactating dairy cattle. It can be carried by wild birds without them appearing sick and is often fatal to domestic bird populations such as chickens and turkeys. However, with supportive care, dairy cattle can recover with little to no associated mortality. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship strongly advises Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to enhance their biosecurity practices and protocols to safeguard their flocks and herds.
The department has provided biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds and offers various biosecurity resources for reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who regularly interact with both dairy and poultry, or frequently interact with other farm workers in these areas, should take extra precautions to minimize potential transmission. In the event of suspected HPAI cases, dairy producers should immediately contact their herd veterinarian and report the cases to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.
There are no concerns about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products, as pasteurization effectively inactivates bacteria and viruses like influenza in milk. Poultry products also remain safe to consume. Consumers are reminded to properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, ensuring a minimum internal temperature of 165˚F. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes that the risk to the general public is low. Any inquiries related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at alex.murphy@hhs.iowa.gov.
