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40K Iowa turkeys killed after Buena Vista bird flu outbreak
Iowa has had five confirmed cases this fall
Dec. 2, 2022 3:45 pm, Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 4:50 pm
Wearing boot covers, Tim Graber walks among turkey hatchlings as he checks food levels and inspects the watering system in one of his buildings in Wayland, Iowa, in 2015. As a precaution against the spread of avian flu to his flock, Graber has stepped up biosecurity measures at his facility. Machinery is sprayed down with a hydrogen peroxide solution as well as wearing boot covers before entering his buildings. Delivery drivers disinfect tires on their vehicles upon entering and leaving his facility. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Iowa officials on Friday confirmed another case of bird flu, this time in a commercial turkey flock on Buena Vista County.
The flock of 40,000 turkeys was euthanized after the confirmation of the virus, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported.
It’s the 24th case reported in Iowa this year and the fifth since October, with the second round likely connected to the fall migration of wild birds.
Commercial and backyard flock owners should try to prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, such as geese or ducks. While most infected wild birds don’t have symptoms, the virus often is fatal for domestic bird populations, such as chickens and turkeys. The highly-contagious virus can spread through droppings or in the nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate soil or dust.
If flock owners suspect bird flu, which can cause poultry to be lethargic, have difficulty breathing or have reduced egg production, producers should contact their veterinarian. Possible cases also must be reported to the agriculture department at (515) 281-5305.
For additional information on bird flu, please visit https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/avian-influenza.
Commercial and Backyard Avian Flu Detections in Iowa
- 3/1/22 Pottawattamie, backyard mixed species
- 3/6/22 Buena Vista, commercial turkey
- 3/10/22 Taylor, commercial layer chickens
- 3/17/22 Buena Vista, commercial layer chickens
- 3/20/22 Warren, backyard mixed species
- 3/23/22 Buena Vista, commercial turkey
- 3/25/22 Franklin, commercial pullet chickens
- 3/28/22 Hamilton, commercial turkey
- 3/28/22 Guthrie, commercial layer chickens
- 3/29/22 Buena Vista, commercial turkey
- 3/31/22 Osceola, commercial layer chickens
- 3/31/22 Cherokee, commercial turkey
- 4/2/22 Sac, commercial turkey
- 4/2/22 Humboldt, commercial breeding chickens
- 4/4/22 Hamilton, commercial turkey
- 4/5/22 Hardin, commercial turkey
- 4/20/22 Bremer, commercial turkey
- 4/22/22 Kossuth, backyard mixed species
- 5/2/22 Bremer, backyard mixed species
- 10/20/22 Dallas, backyard mixed species
- 10/31/22 Wright, commercial layer chickens
- 11/7/2022 Louisa, backyard mixed species
- 11/7/2022 Wright, commercial layer chickens
- 12/2/2022 Buena Vista, commercial turkey
Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com
