Bird flu has been confirmed in a pair of north Iowa counties.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) say positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been found in Kossuth and Cerro Gordo Counties.
The affected site in Kossuth County is a hatchery with game bird pheasants, quail and chukars. The affected site in Cerro Gordo County is a mixed species backyard flock.
Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern and it remains safe to eat poultry products.
In recent years, Commercial and Backyard HPAI Detections in Iowa include:
| 3/25/22 | Franklin | Commercial Pullet Chickens |
| 4/20/22 | Bremer | Commercial Turkey |
| 4/22/22 | Kossuth | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 5/2/22 | Bremer | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 3/14/23 | Chickasaw | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 11/7/23 | Kossuth | Game Bird Pheasants, Peafowl and Commercial Layer Chickens |
Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165ËšF.
About HPAI
HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease affecting bird populations. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. The virus can spread through the droppings or the nasal discharge of an infected bird, both of which can contaminate dust and soil.
Signs of HPAI may include:
- Â Â Â Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
- Â Â Â Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
- Â Â Â Decrease in egg production
- Â Â Â Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
- Â Â Â Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
- Â Â Â Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
- Â Â Â Difficulty breathing
- Â Â Â Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
- Â Â Â Stumbling and/or falling down
- Â Â Â Diarrhea
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For additional information on HPAI, please visit the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.
