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Millions of hens to be culled after AI outbreak
hen
Outbreaks in a number of states have resulted in the loss of over one million chickens and turkeys since January.
Avian flu found at one of Iowa's largest farms

A flock of millions of hens will be culled following the outbreak of avian influenza at one of Iowa's largest farms.

The outbreak has been confirmed at Sunrise Farms in Osceola County. According to the company that operates the farm, it houses 3.8 million hens, however, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reportedly said the flock numbers 5.3 million.

All birds on the farm, which is now under quarantine, will be culled to prevent the spread of disease, according to a statement released by the Iowa Poultry Association and Iowa Egg Council.

“We’ve had no other confirmed cases of avian influenza on any other egg farm in Iowa, and we’re taking every precaution we can to ensure it stays that way," said Randy Olsen, executive director of the organisations.

"Iowa’s egg farmers understand and share consumers’ concerns about the disease."

Since December 2014, there have been reports of highly pathogenic H5 strains of the virus in both backyard and commercial poultry flocks in the US, as well as in wild bird populations.

Outbreaks have also occurred in Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, the Dakotas and Kansas, resulting in the loss of over one million chickens and turkeys since January.

The virus has been detected in three Wisconsin poultry flocks, affecting over 160,000 birds in total, according to the state's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

On Monday (April 22), Wisconsin governor Scott Walker authorised the National Guard to help with the response to the outbreak. Federal resources are said to be 'thin' due to avian flu outbreaks in other states, particularly the Midwest.

The risk posed to human health is considered to be low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Free event for the global unowned cat community

News Story 1
 International Cat Care (ICatCare) has announced a free, virtual event dedicated to caring for unowned cats to explore new ideas and ways of working.

iCatConnect 2025 takes place on Wednesday, 12 November, and is open to everyone working and volunteering with unowned cats. It will include a line-up of 12 international cat welfare experts, who will consider the bigger picture of unowned cats and explore practical, effective, and inclusive solutions.

Following the session, attendees can put their questions to the experts and share their views. They will also hear frontline challenges and real-world case studies shared by contributors working in shelters, TNR, community cat programmes, and veterinary teams from around the world. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.