WattAgNet: Avian influenza hits 4 Iowa, South Dakota turkey flocks

Four new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been confirmed, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on May 14. All of the cases were found in commercial turkey flocks.

Two of the cases were in Iowa counties where avian influenza cases had already been found, while the other two were located in South Dakota counties where the virus had not previously been detected.

USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed H5N2 avian influenza in the following counties and states:

1. Cherokee County, Iowa – 45,000 turkeys, third detection in the county
2. Buena Vista County, Iowa – Turkeys (number pending), 15^th detection in the county
3. Hutchinson County, South Dakota – 70,000 turkeys, first detection in the county
4. Yankton County, South Dakota – 70,600 turkeys, first detection in the county

Birds in all four flocks will be depopulated to help prevent the spread of the disease, and the affected properties will be disinfected.

APHIS has now reported 162 avian influenza detections in the United States that have affected more than 33.5 million birds.

To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see the WATTAgNet avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza.