State of emergency declared in Franklin County

     Franklin County officials declared a state of emergency Friday in an attempt to protect local poultry producers from the threat of bird flu.
     There are currently no cases of the highly pathogenic virus in the county. However, officials felt the declaration was necessary to stop bird flu from reaching local flocks. The decision will open up more resources and special funds to pay for intervention strategies aimed at slowing the virus’ spread.
     “This is new to everybody,” said Thomas Craighton, Franklin County Emergency Management coordinator. “Everybody is trying to help out one step at a time to see what we can do to prevent it.”
     The board of supervisors and emergency management personnel held a press conference Friday afternoon to announce the emergency declaration. Officials urged local residents to limit travel near poultry sites to reduce the risk of infection. The virus spreads through wild birds, direct contact, fecal residue and possibly airborne dust particles, which makes controlling it difficult.
    There are currently three confirmed cases affecting 6.8 million birds in neighboring Wright County.
   “This virus doesn’t care whether you’re a big or small producer. It can be extremely hard on anybody’s flock,” said Supervisor Gary McVicker. “We’re just doing this so if it happens to hit here, we’re set up and ready to go. The producers have really gone above and beyond at trying to reduce the spread.”
     The emergency declaration followed others across the state. Officials in Wright County closed roads May 1 after declaring a state of emergency, but the precautions didn’t stop the virus from penetrating facilities there.
     Unlike its neighbor to the west, Franklin County has not closed any roads near its six commercial poultry sites.
     “We are asking all residents to be good neighbors and limit the traffic near these sites,” said McVicker. “Many closures have been placed in other areas of the state. These are to prevent dust and the possibility of the spread of the disease.”
     Officials can ask for state support once local resources are exhausted. Gov. Terry Branstad made a statewide emergency declaration on May 1 that freed up funding to combat the virus, which will help affected producers throughout the state.
     Iowa is the No. 1 egg producing state in the country. Franklin County is home to six commercial poultry facilities.
     “This industry is very important to Franklin County. There’s been a lot of dollars spent here on chickens,” Supervisor Mike Nolte said last Friday. “I think this is a case where we need to take care of our own.”
     There were more than 40 confirmed bird flu cases in 12 Iowa counties as of Tuesday. The virus spreads through flocks quickly, but it poses no harm to humans or the food supply. Contaminated flocks must be euthanized and the facility cleaned. Affected facilities must halt production for months at a time to follow necessary protocol.
     “We hope that we have done the right things to prevent the spread,” said McVicker.