Three new cases of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza have been confirmed, with all three being reported in flocks in Sioux County, Iowa. The new cases were announced by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on May 21.
Affected were two flocks of layer chickens and one backyard flock. While the number of birds affected is still pending in two of the flocks, the third flock consisted of 240,000 chickens. The affected properties will be disinfected and the flocks will be depopulated to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Sioux County, according to APHIS, has now had a total of 19 highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza detections.
To date, avian influenza has been confirmed by APHIS, as well as state agriculture and wildlife agencies, in 20 states. The largest number of affected flocks have been reported in Minnesota and Iowa. With the newest confirmed cases in Sioux County, APHIS has reported 177 cases of avian influenza in 2015, impacting more than 39.1 million birds.
To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see WATTAgNet's avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza.
