DES MOINES, Iowa—The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Management and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) ) in Louisa County, Iowa and in Wright County, Iowa.
The virus was found in a non-commercial backyard flock in Louisa County and in a commercial layer flock in Wright County.
“The migration is expected to continue for several more weeks, and whether you have backyard poultry or a commercial poultry farm, bolstering your biosecurity remains the best way to protect your flock from this disease,” said Agriculture Secretary Iowa, Mike Naig. “Our coordinated response team, made up of state and federal professionals working with affected growers, will continue to move quickly to limit the spread of this virus.”
Backyard and commercial flock owners should avoid contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual bird deaths should be reported immediately to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available at iowaagriculture.gov/biosecurity. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Potential cases should also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Management at (515) 281-5305.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent detections of HPAI in birds do not represent a public health concern. It is still safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products. An internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses.
About HPAI
HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease that affects bird populations. HPAI can travel in wild birds without making them appear ill, but it is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. The virus can be spread through the droppings or nasal secretions of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil.
Signs of HPAI include:
• Sudden increase in bird deaths without clinical signs
• Lethargy and lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Eggs with soft or thin shells or misshapen
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, baleen and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of wattles, comb and legs
• labored breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or runny nose (runny nose)
• Tripping or falling
• Diarrhea
For additional information on HPAI, visit https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/avian-influenza.
HPAI Commercial and Backyard Detections in Iowa
|
Date |
County |
flock type |
| 3/1/22 | Pottawatt | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 6/3/22 | good view | commercial turkey |
| 03/10/22 | Taylor | commercial laying hens |
| 03/17/22 | good view | commercial laying hens |
| 03/20/22 | Burrow | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 03/23/22 | good view | commercial turkey |
| 03/25/22 | franklin | chickens commercial chicks |
| 03/28/22 | hamilton | commercial turkey |
| 03/28/22 | Guthrie | commercial laying hens |
| 03/29/22 | good view | commercial turkey |
| 03/31/22 | Osceola | commercial laying hens |
| 03/31/22 | Cherokee | commercial turkey |
| 2/4/22 | Coat | commercial turkey |
| 2/4/22 | Humboldt | commercial chickens |
| 4/4/22 | hamilton | commercial turkey |
| 4/5/22 | Hardin | commercial turkey |
| 04/20/22 | bremer | commercial turkey |
| 04/22/22 | Kossuth | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 2/5/22 | bremer | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 10/20/22 | dallas | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 10/31/22 | Wright | commercial laying hens |
| 7/11/2022 | Louise | Backyard Mixed Species |
| 7/11/2022 | Wright | commercial laying hens |
(contributed press release, IDALS)