Des Moines, Iowa — Greater than 4 million chickens in Iowa must be killed after a case of the extremely pathogenic hen flu was detected at a big egg farm, the state introduced Tuesday.
Crews are within the technique of killing 4.2 million chickens after the illness was discovered at a farm in Sioux County, Iowa, making it the newest in a yearslong outbreak that now could be affecting dairy cattle as effectively. Final week, the virus was confirmed at an egg farm west of Minneapolis, Minnesota, resulting in the slaughter of practically 1.4 million chickens.
General, 92.34 million birds have been killed for the reason that outbreak started in 2022, in line with the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
Though hen flu has turn out to be considerably widespread amongst poultry, its unfold to cattle has added to worries in regards to the illness. In Could, a second dairy farmworker was recognized with hen flu, and the virus was detected in each beef and milk. It has been confirmed on dairy cattle farms in 9 states.
Well being and agriculture officers have mentioned the danger to the general public stays low. The U.S. Division of Agriculture mentioned the meat from a single sickened dairy cow was not allowed to enter the nation’s meals provide and beef stays suitable for eating.
Staff uncovered to contaminated animals are at a better threat. The one three human instances confirmed in the USA included two dairy employees and one man working to slaughter contaminated birds on a poultry farm.
