State and federal officials have confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in northwest Iowa’s Buena Vista County. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) identified avian influenza in a multi-species backyard flock. The case is Iowa’s sixth detection of HPAI so far this year. H5N1 avian influenza is a viral disease affecting both wild and domestic birds. Wild birds can carry the virus without appearing sick, but infections in domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, are often fatal. State officials are urging poultry producers and backyard flock owners to strengthen biosecurity measures at their facilities to help protect their birds. Anyone who suspects avian influenza should contact a veterinarian and report the case to the agriculture department. Symptoms in birds can include sudden death, decreased egg production, head and comb swelling, breathing difficulties, and lethargy. Officials say poultry products remain safe to eat, but it is critical that products are properly handled and cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
