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Avian flu a threat this fall

Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have diminished this summer.  But the executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation says the poultry industry is preparing for a resurgence this fall.

Speaking to Brownfield at the Iowa State Fair Friday, Gretta Irwin says growers remain vigilant.

“Checking their biosecurity (and) making sure that they’re doing their utmost to make sure that we keep the wild birds separated from our domesticated turkeys.”

She says only nine Iowa turkey farms were infected with avian flu this spring.

“In 2015 we had 71 cases, so the discussions we’re having, the practices farmers are putting into place, we really hope is making an impact.”