Iowa governor declares state of emergency in response to bird flu; Nebraska stays vigilant

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

DES MOINES (AP) — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency Friday due to an avian influenza outbreak that’s forcing farms to kill more than 17 million chickens and turkeys.

Nebraska poultry producers remain on high-alert with tightened bio-security measures as the bird flu outbreak ravages Iowa’s commercial flocks.

Branstad’s emergency proclamation will remain in effect until May 31, unless it’s terminated earlier.

The proclamation activates disaster response and recovery procedures for Iowa’s homeland security and emergency management programs. It authorizes use of state money, supplies and equipment to track and monitor bird flu, establish restrictions around affected farms and rapidly detect cases. It also allows more time to dispose of poultry carcasses.

FULL story at link.



ZACH BOYDEN-HOLMES/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Workers with clear plastic boots stop to have their feet disinfected before leaving Sunrise Farms April 23 in Harris. The northwest Iowa farm has said it will kill its 3.8 million laying hens because of the bird flu virus.

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/iowa/iowa-governor-declares-state-of-emergency-in-response-to-bird/article_138d148c-f024-11e4-a511-fb500b6bc53e.html

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Minnesota declared a state of emergency on April 23. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141075555:

[Baitball Blogger]

1. I certainly hope that the workers who participated in the clean-up will get some

form of monitoring. There should be a protocol set in place.

[Dont call me Shirley]

2. Scary!

Here goes the price of poultry.

[roamer65]

4. ...and the price of eggs.

[Seedersandleechers]

3. Gee and one northwest Iowa farm

had 3.8 million hens to kill? It's not a farm it's a factory.

[C Moon]

6. +1

[Iliyah]

5. Nada from corp media