Iowa to lift exhibitions ban imposed because of bird flu

Iowa to lift exhibitions ban imposed because of bird flu

DES MOINES (AP) — Iowa plans to lift the state ban on bird exhibitions imposed in May as bird flu spread through the state's turkey and chicken farms.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says the order will be lifted on Friday. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said in a news release Tuesday that the announcement 'is very good news and another sign that we continue to recover from this devastating animal health emergency.'

The department says no new cases of bird flu have been confirmed in Iowa since June.

Bird flu first surfaced a year ago on the West Coast and spread to flocks in 15 states over six months, resulting in the death of 48 million birds. Iowa lost the most — nearly 32 million, and mostly egg-laying chickens.