Capitol Letters: Agriculture update on storms and avian flu

On Friday, May 24, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach reissued a press release relaying that Iowans who are cleaning up from the recent bout of storms can find useful resources offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Deadly storms with multiple tornadoes were reported in April, and again in late May, causing houses and buildings to be destroyed, with debris spread across streets and into farm fields.

Storm debris can easily be hiding along fence lines or in grass waterways. landowners are encouraged to inspect their property now, before the spring growing season causes further disguise of debris. Landowners should use good sense when deciding how much cleanup they can do on their own. First, they need to assess the severity of the damage and whether to contact their insurance agent. If the landowner feels confident, they can proceed with cleanup. However storm debris is often sharp and jagged and can be heavier than people anticipate. ISU Extension and Outreach has multiple online resources available to help answer questions about storm-related recovery.

The Disaster and Crisis Recovery site offers expert insight into topics such as drought management, derechos, tree and forest management and much more. These resources are offered by ISU Extension and Outreach, and are intended to reduce the personal impact of disasters, by working in partnership with the local, state and federal agencies addressing the need. 

On Tuesday, May 28, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a press release announcing that there has been a detection of a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Sioux County. The affected site is a flock of commercial layer chickens. HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations as well as lactating dairy cattle. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but 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.

IDALS is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. IDALS has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy, should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.

If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to IDALS at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of HPAI in birds may include:

• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs

• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite

• Decrease in egg production

• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs

• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks

• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs

• Difficulty breathing

• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)

• Stumbling and/or falling down

• Diarrhea

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to IDALS at (515) 281-5305. USDA’s federal order regulating the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle remains in effect.

Clinical signs of HPAI in dairy may include:

• Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination

• Clear nasal discharge

• Drop in milk production

• Tacky or loose feces

• Lethargy

• Dehydration

• Fever

• Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

It remains safe to enjoy poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. It is a longstanding practice that only milk from healthy animals may enter the food supply. There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.