Second bird flu emergency declared in Iowa

A second bird flu emergency has been issued in Iowa after a confirmed case within a commercial turkey flock in Cherokee County.

The affected flock includes more than 100,000 birds, while the previous bird flu emergency in Sioux County a week prior affected a flock of over 4 million, according to an Iowa Capital Dispatch report.

Certain regulatory requirements for commercial vehicles responding to the affected area have been suspended.

Hours of service and oversize load requirements have been waived through July 3 under the following conditions:

• No motor carrier will require or allow a fatigued or ill driver to operate.
• A driver shall be given at least 10 consecutive hours off duty upon request and must be given 34 consecutive hours off duty when on duty for more than 70 hours during any consecutive eight days.
• Motor carriers with an out-of-service order in effect may not take advantage of relief granted by the order.
• Upon expiration or when a driver has been relieved of emergency assistance efforts, a driver who has had at least 34 hours consecutive hours off duty is permitted to start status hours and 60/70-hour clock at zero.

Poultry products remain safe to eat, and birds do not pose an immediate public health concern despite the confirmation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a news release from the Iowa governor’s office said.

All available state resources, supplies, equipment and materials deemed necessary are also authorized under this emergency.

The previous bird flu emergency was enacted in Sioux County on May 28 for confirmed cases within commercial layer chickens.

That order, effective through June 27, also temporarily suspends hours of service and weight requirements on state highways throughout its duration.

USDA recently announced $824 million in emergency funding to ensure the health of livestock and poultry after the first detection of bird flu in dairy cattle earlier this year.

Today @USDA announced additional steps we are taking to ensure the health of the nation’s livestock. We are investing an additional $824 million in our response efforts and standing up a pilot program to reduce the risk of H5N1 in dairy herds. https://t.co/SHRm7Wjkd6

— Secretary Tom Vilsack (@SecVilsack) May 31, 2024

The department said it continues to work with federal partners to protect the health of people and the safety of the food supply. LL

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