Bird Flu Now Found In 13 Sioux County Dairy Herds

(Sioux County) The bird flu outbreak in Iowa has led to 45 cases in poultry and 13 in dairy. Dairy exhibition cows in Iowa now must be tested for the flu before entering any shows. The Great Jones County Fair is preparing for the upcoming event, implementing testing and quarantine measures for dairy exhibitors. Despite the challenges, fair organizers are focused on creating a safe environment for all animals and participants. The new rules require additional preparation for 4H and FFA kids showing dairy cows, emphasizing the importance of finding state-accredited veterinarians.

On Thursday, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza cases in two dairy herds in Sioux County, Iowa. To date, the Department has announced 13 detections of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa.

HPAI is a viral disease affecting both wild and domestic bird populations and lactating dairy cattle. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but it is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.