Trucks Hauling Avian Flu Remains, Materials Still Rolling Into Mills County

The Loess Hills Sanitary Landfill near Malvern is continuing to play a key role in the state of Iowa’s disposal of over 30 million chickens, turkeys and other birds that have died or been killed as a result of avian bird flu.

Mills County Public Health Administrator Sheri Bowen said as of last week, the landfill had accepted around 450 bio-secure trailers containing bird carcasses and other materials associated with the avian flu epidemic.

“The trucks are still coming, but right now it’s not chickens,” Bowen said. “Now, it’s preventative protective equipment - the supplies they’re using and the clothes people who are involved in disposal of the birds are wearing.”

Bowen said the last shipment of bird remains arrived at the landfill early last week.

“For now, all the birds have been taken care of except some from Wright County, where there have been some issues because of the rain they’ve been getting,” Bowen said.
Disposal of the contents from the bio-secure containers is being monitored at the landfill by state-appointed hazardous materials personnel, Bowen said.

“They’re making sure everything is being done according to protocol,” she said.

Bowen said she’s unaware of any issues involving the disposal process at the landfill, but neighbors have complained about odors being omitted. She said the odors are coming from the contents of the bio-hazard bags and also the result of the deep digging on the landfill site required for proper disposal.

A water/steam “misting curtain” has been installed at the landfill to help mask the odor.

The Iowa Department of Agricutlure reported Friday that over 1,000 bio-secure containers of birds and avian flu materials have been disposed of statewide. At least 250 more containers are still in need of disposal.