In a reemergence of the highly pathogenic bird flu, two commercial turkey farms in Iowa have been struck, leading to the culling of approximately 100,000 birds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture recently reported the infected commercial poultry flocks, following the first outbreaks in the United States since April at a turkey farm in South Dakota and one in Utah, causing concerns of further spread.

According to the Department of Agriculture, a total of 12 commercial flocks in South Dakota, Utah, and Minnesota have been affected in October, resulting in the loss of over 500,000 birds. This resurgence of bird flu comes after last year's devastating outbreak, which cost U.S. poultry producers nearly 59 million birds across 47 states, including both egg-laying chickens and turkeys raised for meat. The outbreak also led to significant price increases for eggs and turkey, impacting consumers, and caused the government to incur costs exceeding $660 million.

Iowa, the hardest-hit state during the previous outbreak, lost nearly 16 million birds but had not reported any cases since March. However, the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced on Friday that a commercial turkey facility in Buena Vista County, housing approximately 50,000 birds, had been affected. Additionally, on Monday, another facility in neighboring Pocahontas County, with around 47,500 turkeys, was confirmed to have the virus. The department also reported that about 50 backyard birds in Guthrie County had been infected.

Prior to last week's cases, the United States had only seen sporadic appearances of bird flu in recent months, primarily in backyard flocks or among wild birds like ducks, geese, and eagles. Although wild birds often do not show symptoms of avian influenza, the poultry industry remains concerned as migration season begins, as migrating birds can transmit the disease to vulnerable commercial flocks.

While bird flu infections in humans are relatively rare and not considered a food safety risk, scientists worry that the virus could evolve to spread more easily among people, particularly as it affects other species, including mammals. This concern is further emphasized by Cambodia reporting its third human death from bird flu this year.

Meanwhile, South Africa has been grappling with its own avian influenza outbreaks, resulting in the culling of approximately 7.5 million chickens. The government and national poultry association took this drastic measure to contain dozens of outbreaks caused by two separate strains of avian influenza.

As the reemergence of highly pathogenic bird flu continues to impact both commercial and backyard poultry farms, authorities and industry experts are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread and minimize the potential consequences for both the poultry industry and public health.