On Thursday, January 12, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced that their November 10 order canceling all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings has been lifted. The order initially went into effect after confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza had been reported in the state, one of which in Louisa County.

Despite the order being lifted, Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, encourages Iowa poultry producers or those with backyard birds to stay vigilant. Flock owners should still prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and continue to monitor them for any signs of sickness. If producers observe sickness or unusual deaths in their birds, they should report their findings to state or federal officials immediately.

For best practices and other biosecurity resources, click here.