June 26, 2024

Iowa, US confirms 11th avian flu case in Sioux County dairy herd for June

State officials in Iowa, US announced that another case of avian flu was detected in a Sioux County dairy herd, marking the 11th case of bird flu in Iowa cattle for the month of June 2024, Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said that pathogenic avian influenza was found in a dairy herd of 5,000 cattle. This is the ninth report this month of avian flu within Sioux County's dairy cattle.

While the virus has primarily affected herds in Sioux County, there have also been cases reported in Plymouth and O'Brien counties.

Cows typically recover from the infection within two weeks; however, the infection is often fatal in birds. Since May 28, 2024, the department has announced two separate turkey flocks and one chicken flock with bird flu.

Signs of avian flu in cattle include fever, dehydration, lethargy, and a drop in milk production. In birds, symptoms include diarrhoea, a decrease in egg production, coughing, and sudden increases in bird deaths.

Bird flu in dairy cattle has also been reported in Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and Texas.

-      Iowa Capital Dispatch