DES MOINES, Iowa—The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in O’Brien County, Iowa. This is Iowa’s eighth detection of H5N1 HPAI within poultry in 2024. Governor Kim Reynolds immediately issued a Disaster Proclamation until January 15th. This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

About H5N1 HPAI

H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. H5N1 HPAI can also impact dairy cattle, and 13 cases were detected in Iowa dairy herds in June of 2024. With supportive care, dairy herds recover with limited, or no mortality associated with the disease. 

Heightened Biosecurity 

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. In addition, the Department has numerous biosecurity resources for poultry producers and dairy and livestock farmers to reference on its website.

Suspected Cases in Poultry 

If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of H5N1 HPAI, 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. 

Clinical signs of H5N1 HPAI in birds 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 

Food Safety 

It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

Public Health 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe the threat to the general public remains low. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

List of Confirmed Cases

As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.

(contributed press release, IDALS)