ALGONA – The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning passed a Resolution proclaiming a state of emergency and authorizing the Board chairperson to issue orders of road closures and/or embargo.
The resolution approved by the supervisors indicates “that the movement or transport of any poultry or poultry waste products is hereby prohibited within 0.5 miles of any poultry facility. This prohibition shall not apply to a poultry facility moving or transporting on or near its own facility.”
The resolution also makes a formal request to the State of Iowa to issue an embargo and/or take action to prohibit the movement or transport of any poultry or poultry waste within 0.5 miles of any poultry facility in Kossuth County. This prohibition should not apply to a poultry facility moving or transporting on or near its own facility.
This resolution followed Iowa Gov. Terry E. Brandstads May 1, 2015 decision to make proclamation of Disaster or Emergency for the state of Iowa in an effort to take a proactive, preventative approach to the widespread Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Kossuth County followed Wright County and several others in the state in this proactive decision.
“With the current widespread outbreak of the HPAI in Northwest Iowa, and the potential severe economic impact such an outbreak could cause, we felt it necessary, as a Board, to declare the state of emergency and move forward with this resolution and request the State of Iowa to use what authority they have to assist us,” explained Board of Supervisor Chairman Don McGregor.
The Board of Supervisors and Kossuth County Community Health stress to the citizens at this time there is no risk to the public and no threat to the food supply.
Kossuth County authorities have been working in cooperation with local area producers, cooperatives and state officials on implementing a plan to take preventative measures in an attempt to prevent the spread of the HPAI.
Officials stress to farmer and backyard flock owners of the importance to protect their birds from exposure with wild water fowl and other types of poultry. The owners are also reminded of the importance to report any sick birds or unusual death loss to their local veterinarian.
It is also important that owners avoid the sharing of equipment between sites and restrict visitors to their farms.
“The producers in the county are currently adhering to very strict bio-security precautions, and we appreciate the public’s cooperation in this process,” said Kossuth County Public Information Officer Lori Winkel.
Kossuth County Secondary Road crews have placed barricades near several of the local poultry facilities in the county in an effort to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Officials indicate they have been in contact with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, State Department of Transportation, State Agriculture and Iowa Department of Public Health officials and believe the actions they are taking at this time are in the best economical interest of Kossuth County.
