Feb 3, 2025 - News

Iowa governor issues bird flu disaster proclamation

A photo of eggs — Grocery stores across the nation are experiencing egg shortages due to the bird flu. Photo: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Dozens of newly confirmed cases of avian influenza and the first verified U.S. case of a new strain of the virus are raising concerns that the bird flu crisis may be entering a troubling new phase.

Why it matters: The cases, including one in O'Brien County on Sunday, could create more havoc for farmers, exacerbate egg shortages and expose more gaps in government disease surveillance.

State of play: The bird flu crisis has struck over 110 flocks and nearly 950 dairy herds in the past 30 days, according to the USDA.

More than 19 million birds have been affected.

Zoom in: This week's case in O'Brien affects 240,000 birds.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation to elevate tracking, detection and containment efforts.

Stunning stat: Egg prices were around $6 a dozen at metro Hy-Vee stores Monday.

They are more than $8 in some other states, per a Jan. 31 USDA egg report.

Go deeper: The evolving bird flu crisis

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Iowa governor issues bird flu disaster proclamation

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