The avian flu continues to spread across Iowa, Greene County officials are weighing in. 

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Greene County does not have a positive case of the bird flu. The disease is highly transmissible and naturally occurring among birds, along with wild birds such as waterfowl and shorebirds. Jefferson bird expert Matt Wetrich says those who have bird feeders don’t need to necessarily take them down at this time. He points out one of the foremost authorities on birds is the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and they believe the avian flu does not appear to be connected to songbirds. 

Wetrich says if you see a dead or sick bird, you should consider taking down a bird feeder and contact Greene County Conservation. He talks about the signs of a sick bird.

“Not nearly as scared. If all of the birds have flown away except this one bird and it sticks around and kind of just sits there and its wings kind of sit weird or a little floppy looking instead of being able to lift off and fly. Sometimes balance issues, you’ll see they kind of look tipsy like maybe they’re intoxicated even. Conjunctivitis where you have gunky looking eyes.”    

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship previously put into effect an order canceling all poultry events when the avian flu first appeared in the state. The order goes into effect for a minimum of 30 days once there is a positive case and remains in effect for 30 days when there is no other positive case detected. Greene County Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Samantha Hardaway shares her plans for the poultry show for this year’s Greene County Fair.

“Right now I’m still planning that the show is on and I’m hoping that it doesn’t get canceled. But in the event that it does get canceled, I’ve already talked with our judge and hoping to do something virtual and not taking away from the opportunity for the youth (such as) decorating pens, still making the barn decorative with the poultry exhibits. So they still have the opportunity to showcase their projects.”

The DNR is continuing to monitor the avian flu in Iowa.