An additional 1.2 million chickens are being slaughtered after the highly contagious bird flu was confirmed on an Iowa egg farm.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced Friday that a flock of commercial layer chickens tested positive for avian influenza at a farm in Taylor County.
Governor Kim Reynolds immediately declared a disaster to make sure the state can respond quickly.
"This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection," Reynold's office said in a statement. "The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites."
The ongoing outbreak began in early 2022 and has led officials to kill nearly 63 million birds, mostly last year.
The news in Iowa comes just days after nearly 1 million chickens were also killed on a Minnesota egg farm.
So far this year, about 4.6 million birds have been slaughtered due to bird flu outbreaks. While that sounds like a lot, it's far less than the 58 million slaughtered in 2022.
With far fewer cases in 2023, egg and poultry prices have eased across the country. The average price for a dozen eggs is $2.07 -- down from a nationwide high of $4.82 in January, per the Associated Press.
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. The virus can spread through the droppings or nasal discharge of an infected bird, both of which can contaminate dust and soil. Experts say it can also spread through contaminated equipment, clothing and boots.
Once the virus is discovered, the entire flock is killed to control the disease.
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.
The CDC also maintains that influenza detections in birds do not present a public health concern, and that it remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.