MISSISSIPPI SENDS ANIMAL HEALTH SPECIALIST TO IOWA TO ASSIST WITH AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK

Pearl – Mississippi Board of Animal Health Livestock and Poultry Specialist Jesse Carter deployed to Iowa this week to support response efforts to a massive avian influenza outbreak that has affected more than 29 million commercial and backyard birds in that state. The request was made by the Iowa Department of Agriculture through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The mission was coordinated by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency which is responsible for administering EMAC for the state.

Carter will support the Iowa state veterinarian by identifying and addressing technical issues associated with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. He will initially work at the incident command located in Minnesota before deploying to Iowa for the mission slated to last until July 10.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency on May 1 due to HPAI that has devastated the poultry industry in the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports nearly 47 million birds have been affected in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. There are no reported cases in Mississippi.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is an agreement signed by all 50 states and the U.S. Territories and allows for state-to-state support during disasters. The expenses for this deployment are being paid by the state of Iowa.

For more information on the avian influenza outbreak in Iowa please visit www.iowaagriculture.gov/AvianInfluenza.asp