Iowa agriculture officials are closely monitoring new developments with highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country. The USDA reported dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas tested positive for the virus last month. Earlier, avian flu was confined to domestic poultry and other bird species. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says other confirmed cases have been reported in Idaho, Michigan and Ohio.
Last weekend, the Centers for Disease Control issued a health alert to inform clinicians, state health departments and the public of a case of avian influenza in a person who had contact with dairy cows presumed to be infected with the virus. Though the case was confirmed in a farm worker in Texas, Naig says the public should not be alarmed.
Naig adds, the avian flu doesn’t constitute a food safety issue.
More information regarding avian influenza is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.
