Avian Flu Epidemic Grows

Cindy Zimmerman

branstad-hpaiIowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency Friday as new confirmed and probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been announced on an almost daily basis in the last two weeks. Yet another four probable cases were announced Monday, bringing the total now to over 20 million birds at 25 sites in 11 counties.Iowa Gov declares state of emergency due to HPAI

Iowa is the largest egg producing state in the country and as of last week the number of laying hens infected was about a quarter of the total in the state and “probably five or six percent of the layers in the United States,” according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. Now that number is more like a third of the state’s total laying population, fueling expectations that there will likely be an impact on supply and prices before very long.

With millions of birds having to be destroyed, the livelihoods of poultry producers are at stake and Northey says indemnity payments from the federal government only makes up for part of the loss. “They are to pay for part of the cost for putting those birds down, but not for any lost income,” said Northey. “Our hearts go out to the folks that are going through this.” Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey comments on indemnity payments

Minnesota, which is the top turkey producing state in the nation, has had the largest number of HPAI cases so far at 67 as of May 1.

We have been keeping up with the latest from the affected states on Animal.AgWired.com where you can check for the latest updates.

Audio, Poultry