Iowa officials announced Tuesday that over 4 million chickens will be culled after detecting a highly pathogenic bird flu at a major egg farm in the state.
Efforts are underway to euthanize 4.2 million chickens at the affected farm in Sioux County, Iowa. This latest case contributes to a prolonged outbreak now impacting dairy cattle as well. Just last week, the virus was found at an egg farm near Minneapolis, Minnesota, leading to the culling of almost 1.4 million chickens.
Since the outbreak began in 2022, nearly 93 million birds have been culled, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While bird flu is a known issue among poultry, its spread to cattle has heightened concerns. In May, a second dairy farmworker was diagnosed with bird flu, and the virus was detected in beef and milk. The disease has been confirmed on dairy farms across nine states.
Health and agriculture officials assure the public that the risk remains low. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that meat from infected dairy cows has been barred from entering the food supply, ensuring beef remains safe for consumption.
However, workers in contact with infected animals face a higher risk. The United States has confirmed three human cases of bird flu, including two dairy workers and one poultry farm worker involved in the culling process.
