Iowa is now the 10th state to have at least one dairy cow infected with highly-pathogenic avian influenza.
The farm in O-Brien County is next door to a poultry farm in Sioux County that is dealing with an outbreak of the virus in a layer operation with 4.2 million birds.
Animal health officials in Iowa are calling for immediate additional biosecurity efforts after this case in the north-west part of the state.
This is the 83rd herd across 10 states to test positive for the H5N1 flu strain that has killed or led to euthanizing millions of birds the United States and Canada since early 2022.
“Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the department,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
“Given the spread of (HPAI) within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa. While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry.”
Dairy farmers are being instructed to report any suspected cases of HPAI in their herds to local veterinarians in addition to contacting Iowa agriculture authorities.
