The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed a second positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County. The virus was found in a flock of commercial layer chickens. This is the second confirmed case of HPAI in Buena Vista County, Iowa. The first case was in a commercial turkey flock on March 6.
Flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual deaths 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. Possible cases should also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture at (515) 281-5305.
There have now been four cases of the avian influenza reported in Iowa this month. HPAI was first detected in the state this year on March 1. At that time it was identified in backyard mixed species located in Pottawattamie County. Another positive case in southwest Iowa was confirmed March 10. This instance involved commercial layer chickens in Taylor County.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses.
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 droppings or nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil.
For updates on this developing situation, please visit https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/avian-influenza.
For information on Governor’s disaster proclamations for HPAI, visit https://governor.iowa.gov/newsroom.