Southern bird flu scare puts Iowa producers on high alert

by | Mar 28, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

LISTEN: Money Matters 3-29-17

More bird flu cases are popping across the South. This time it?s in the number one poultry producing state in the U.S. and it?s their first case ever. A commercial chicken flock in Chattooga County, Georgia has tested positive for H7N9. It is presumptive low pathogenic avian influenza.

?The assumption, at this point, is wild waterfowl have spread the virus in this entire region. In addition to that, about a month ago, we had severe weather in this part of the country with a lot of high winds and rains causing potential damages to structures which may have contributed to the spread,? Georgia Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Cobb says.

The virus was identified during routine pre-sale screening for the commercial facility. The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames confirmed it as H7N9 avian influenza. As a precaution, the affected flock of 18,000 birds has been depopulated.

?We?re concerned having reflected on 2015 but we have please to see the collaboration on how the state, federal government and producers are working to get their arms around the situation in the Southeast and am hopeful they will have it completely under control,? Iowa Poultry Association Executive Director Kevin Stiles says.

So far, no other flocks have tested positive or experienced any clinical signs of H7. Georgia?s poultry industry provides around $26 billion to the state?s economy and is their number one commodity. The announcement follows similar bird flu confirmations from Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee in recent weeks.

Listen to the interviews below.

Robert Cobb – Georgia State Vet – Bird Flu

Kevin Stiles – Iowa Poultry Association – Bird Flu