Dive Brief:
- The H5N2 avian flu strain has now been reported in yet another state for the first time: Iowa. The disease was found in a commercial flock of 27,000 turkeys, though details about the exact name and location of the farm were not released by government officials.
- The turkey flock will be killed to prevent the disease from spreading, and the food system will not see any of these birds being processed. Poultry farms within 10 kilometers of the outbreak have been quarantined as well.
- Iowa economists believe that while the state's poultry industry will be affected, the outbreak should not cost the state much of a loss of jobs or farm income for other producers unless it grows.
Dive Insight:
The USDA is making a concentrated effort to spread information about best practices for biosecurity. Biosecurity efforts may prevent H5N2 — also referred to as HPAI H5 — from spreading further and could also prevent turkey farm handlers from being infected with HPAI H5 viruses. No human cases of HPAI H5 have been reported as of yet. To spread information about biosecurity, Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, and other experts will host a Twitter chat Thursday.