DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State officials say the bird flu virus has been found in four more northwest Iowa poultry farms with more than 2 million chickens.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture announced Monday there were probable cases of avian influenza at two farms in O'Brien County, one in Osceola County and one in Sioux County.
Additional testing of the birds is pending, and if confirmed all of the birds will be killed to prevent spread of the disease.
Since early March, bird flu cases have prompted officials to order that turkey and chicken producers euthanize more than 7 million birds from several Midwestern states.
The latest cases include three commercial laying operations and one farm that produces young hens. The largest operation is in Sioux County, with 1.7 million birds.
