- Bird Flu Detected at Another Dairy in Northwest Iowa
- Iowa State Veterinarian Investigates Avian Influenza Spread
- Popular Iowa Bar Gets Second Lease on Life
Bird flu has struck again in Iowa, this time at another dairy in Northwest Iowa. The state ag department confirmed that this is the second case in Sioux County and the third in the state, following the initial discovery in an Iowa dairy in O’Brien County last week.
State veterinarian Jeff Kaisand emphasized the importance of understanding how avian influenza spreads between farms and livestock. “We don’t know how it moves through the whole herd. Does it go through all at once, or are there pockets that it doesn’t go through? And also trying to understand how it goes through a dairy herd or a poultry herd or vice versa,” Kaisand said.
To help answer these questions and investigate potential ties to other cases, the state has enlisted the help of a USDA strike team in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture has also begun testing dairies within a 12-mile radius of infected poultry farms, as the state has already confirmed two cases of bird flu in poultry this year, both in northwest Iowa.
In other news, a beloved small-town Iowa bar, Byron’s, was facing demolition due to structural damage. However, owner Byron Stuart has announced plans to build a new location about a block away from the old spot on Main Street. A GoFundMe fundraiser has already raised $75,000 towards the $200,000 project.
Stuart expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, stating, “I’m overwhelmed with the love being thrown at me. I certainly appreciate it.” The new location is expected to be up and running by fall, but in the meantime, Byron’s will continue to host events at the Pomeroy Community Center. Live music enthusiasts can rest assured that the music will keep on playing at Byron’s new location.
