After A Five Month Break, Bird Flu Strikes Again In Iowa

It’s been five months since Iowa has had a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, on a commercial/backyard flock of birds.

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In 2022, over 13 million commercial and backyard birds across just Iowa were put down as a result of avian influenza. The spread of the virus in Iowa caused many poultry sales and shows to be put on pause as producers helped mitigate its spread.

As the spread slowed down, poultry events opened back up and sales as well as shows were able to pick up over the summer months.

Today, October 20^th, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the first case to hit the state since May 2^nd.

The latest case was found on a non-commercial backyard flock of birds in Dallas County.

In a release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says they are continuing to work with stakeholders to refine a response plan to limit the spread of the virus.

It is not unexpected that we would face additional highly pathogenic avian influenza challenges in Iowa given that the fall migration is underway, and many other states have recently announced confirmed cases.

Iowa was first hit by the 2022 bird flu outbreak back on March 1^st on a backyard mixed species flock in Pottawattamie County. The virus caused a nationwide bird kill in the millions, with Iowa being the most heavily impacted.

For more information on the virus, visit the  Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website.