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No HPAI cases reported in Iowa’s dairy cattle, Naig says

Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle is an evolving situation.

“I think it’s important that we continue to stick to the facts. What do we know? What are the remaining questions to answer? And there certainly are things like that.”

HPAI has been found in mid-lactation dairy cow udders in Michigan, Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Ohio, Kansas, and Idaho.  Texas has the most cases with ten affected herds.

Naig tells Brownfield no cases have been reported in Iowa. “If you’ve got questions, if you are seeing some symptoms, absolutely, please call the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.”

He says poultry and dairy cattle producers need to have strong biosecurity practices on their operations. “If you’re moving cattle, make sure you know where they are coming from. If they’re coming from an affected state, certainly you need to be thinking about that and isolating those animals as they arrive on your farm.”

Naig says pasteurized milk and dairy products, as well as properly prepared poultry, continue to be safe for consumption.

He spoke to Brownfield at a Polk County Conservation Earth Day gathering in Des Moines on Monday.

AUDIO: Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig (4-22-2024)