With spring’s arrival, Iowa poultry producers are on alert for a possible return of avian influenza which decimated the state’s flocks last year. State officials are taking steps to more efficiently euthanize birds if the disease strikes again. Joyce Flinn, head of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, says the necessary equipment is being stored in safe places around the state.

“We continue to coordinate with the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship for a possible avian influenza response,” Flinn says. State Emergency Management helped coordinate the response last year, which included hauling water to affected areas to mix with foam to kill birds, and coordinating haz mat teams for cleanup. If there’s another outbreak, Flinn says they’re ready.

“Our preparations for avian influenza include prestaging of equipment around the state that can be used in the euthanasia of birds,” Flinn says. “The ready access to this equipment will aid in quick, humane euthanasia to help contain the spread of the disease.” Spring migration may re-create last year’s conditions that lead to a widespread outbreak. Some 34-million birds on 77 Iowa farms had to be destroyed after contracting the virus.

(Radio Iowa)