Capitol Notebook: Bird flu hits another Northwest Iowa dairy cattle herd

Avian influenza has been detected in another dairy cattle herd in Sioux County, making it the eighth confirmed case of bird flu in Iowa cows, the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

The latest bird flu outbreak has infected only two flocks in Iowa.

Of the eight cases of bird flu confirmed in Iowa dairy cattle herds, six have been in Sioux County, and all have been in the state’s Northwest corner.

The other confirmed infections in dairy herds were in O’Brien and Plymouth counties.

Bird flu has been observed in mammals for years and made the jump to dairy cows in the United States for the first time in March.

Three human cases of the virus have been identified this year in the country — none in Iowa — but officials have said the threat to the public is low, and human-to-human transmission has not been recorded.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture said animal products, including poultry, eggs and pasteurized milk and dairy products, remain safe to eat and drink. The pasteurization process easily kills the bird flu virus, the department said.

Reynolds issues disaster proclamation for six counties

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday issued a disaster proclamation for six counties affected by severe weather on June 12.

The proclamation allows state resources to be used to respond to and recover from the effects of severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for residents in Carroll, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Harrison and O'Brien counties.

The state Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line for expenses incurred by the storms.

Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

Applicants have 45 days to submit a claim, and can apply at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.

For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.

Reynolds makes judicial appointment

Donna Bothwell has been appointed as a district judge by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Bothwell, of Logan, will serve as a judge in Iowa’s Judicial District 4, which includes Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties.

Bothwell received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and law degree from Drake University, according to the governor’s office. She replaces Judge Jeffrey L. Larson, who retired.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

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