Highly pathogenic avian influenza case confirmed in a backyard flock in Chickasaw County

To The Press

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 positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Chickasaw County.

The affected site is a backyard flock.

The organizations said 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.

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. An internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses.

HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease affecting bird populations. It 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 the nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil.

Signs of HPAI may include:

• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Stumbling and/or falling down
• Diarrhea

Previous area detections of HPAI include:

• Franklin County, commercial pullet chickens, March 2022.
• Bremer County, commercial turkeys, April 2022.
• Bremer County, backyard mixed species, May 2022.
• Wright County, commercial layer chickens, October 2022.
• Wright County, commercial layer chickens, November 2022.
• Chickasaw County, backyard mixed species, March 14, 2023.

For additional information on HPAI, visit the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.