Iowa agriculture officials today reported four more highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza outbreaks, with testing under way to confirm that they are part of a string of H5N2 outbreaks that has now affected up to 60 of the state's farms.
The OIE says avian flu oubreaks in 35 nations since early 2014 highlight the importance of prevention and control.
Iowa has now had 56 outbreaks, and experts estimate a $310 million economic loss in Minnesota because of direct and indirect costs of H5N2.
Summer fairs and animal exhibits in several states may well see no birds this year as avian flu outbreaks continue.
The recent dramatic increase in human cases of H5N1 avian flu in Egypt is likely not related to virus mutations or changing epidemiology but rather to more people becoming exposed to infected poultry, according to the joint findings of experts from six leading organizations, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a press release today.
Big layer farms in Nebraska and South Dakota were hit, as were 2 farms each in Minnesota and Iowa.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health (MOH), which reported 9 MERS-CoV cases on May 11, has added 3 more in the past 3 days and reported 2 deaths in previously reported cases as it is apparently grappling with a Web site failure, switching to a new—and detail-limited—reporting system, or both.
H5N2 has turned up on 2 more South Dakota turkey farms, and Iowa has a new suspected outbreak.
The Midwest adds another state to those with outbreaks, this one on a farm housing 1.7 million layers.
Immunizing pregnant women rated as best pertussis defense for infants
