In the past few days, new cases of avian influenza have been reported at four turkey farms in Iowa -- bringing the total number of birds killed this month to almost 700,000 nationwide.
The most recent cases reported by the Iowa Department of Agriculture only increase the death toll from the ongoing outbreak this year, which has led authorities in 47 states to kill more than 53 million birds.
Once the virus is discovered, the entire flock is killed to control the disease.
Avian influenza spreads quickly and can be fatal to flocks and devastating to poultry owners. The virus infects poultry and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. Birds shed the virus through their droppings and nasal discharge. Experts say it can be spread through contaminated equipment, clothing and boots.
Although it is possible for humans to become infected with avian influenza, the CDC states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans.
In Iowa, the recent cases were identified in commercial turkey flocks in the neighboring counties of Ida, Cherokee, Buena Vista and Sac -- located in the northwest corner of the state. Roughly 240,000 birds were impacted. Nearby commercial and backyard flock owners have been warned to prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and instructed to report sick birds or unusual deaths to state or federal authorities immediately.
Iowa leads all states with nearly 16 million chickens and turkeys slaughtered this year — more than double the next closest state of Nebraska — largely because it is the nation's largest egg producer and egg farms can include millions of chickens, the Associated Press reported.
This year's bird flu outbreak is different from ones in the past because the virus managed to linger throughout the summer, when warmer temperatures typically would largely kill it off, according to the AP. The outbreak seemed to be subsiding in June but then infections rose in September, resulting in more than 6 million birds being euthanized that month -- followed by another 2 million in October and nearly 4 million more in November, the AP reported.
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