Bird flu

A veterinarian answers questions about the response to bird flu and the safety of the egg supply.

A look at major headlines from this week, including RFK Jr.'s proposal to address bird flu, the latest at the Iowa Statehouse, an update on the Summit Carbon Pipeline and more.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig applauded the USDA’s updated response to bird flu, emphasizing that poultry producers in the state have been hit hard by the H5N1 virus. Over 11 million chickens and turkeys in Iowa were killed by the virus or culled to prevent its spread last year.

Federal agencies have mandated and facilitated testing for the H5N1 virus to try to protect birds, cows and humans; researchers in the Midwest hope those efforts continue under the new presidential administration.

The USDA National Centers for Animal Health in Ames is at the forefront of livestock research, foreign disease diagnostics and vaccine regulation in the U.S. It’s also feeling the impact of dozens of layoffs associated with the Trump administration’s purge of federal workers.

Floods, tornadoes, bird flu and Caitlin Clark - just a sampling of the biggest stories from Iowa in last year.

Bird flu and high supply chain costs contribute to a low egg supply amidst high holiday demand.

The recent outbreaks at several poultry operations in northwest Iowa are connected to a virus circulating in wild birds. A different strain infected 13 dairies and 3 poultry operations in late May and June.

Iowan Jim Leach, who served in U.S. Congress for 30 years, passed away Wednesday at the age of 82.

Bird flu cases continue to be detected in northwest Iowa. Follow the latest updates and guidance here.