Bird flu inches closer

Bird flu has arrived in north central Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture announced Monday that a Wright County commercial laying operation with an estimated 2.8 million birds had experienced increased mortality. According to the release, initial testing came back positive for H5 avian influenza.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza was first diagnosed in Buena Vista County on April 13. One week later, a second case was confirmed in Osceola County, resulting in the loss of 5.3 million hens. By May 1, the number of probable cases had reached 19, resulting in Gov. Terry Branstad declaring a state of emergency in Iowa.
On Monday, four additional cases of avian influenza were announced: the seventh and eighth case in Buena Vista County, a second case in Cherokee County and the first case in Wright County.
Read the full article in the May 6 edition of the Hampton Chronicle.