Buena Vista County has recorded its first case of avian influenza in a year, after a backyard flock tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship confirmed the detection Wednesday in a multi‑species backyard flock somewhere in Buena Vista County. It’s Iowa’s sixth avian flu case of 2026, all of which have involved backyard birds. No commercial poultry operations in the state have been affected this year, according to federal data.
This marks the county’s first detection since last March, when an outbreak hit a commercial site with roughly 400,000 egg‑laying hens.
State officials say the virus continues to circulate in wild birds, which can carry H5N1 without appearing sick. But the disease is often rapidly fatal to domestic birds, including chickens and turkeys. The Centers for Disease Control maintains that the risk to the general public remains low.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture is urging both commercial producers and backyard flock owners to tighten biosecurity, calling it the most effective tool for preventing spread. That includes restricting access to birds, separating domestic flocks from wild waterfowl, disinfecting equipment and footwear, and watching closely for signs of illness.
Producers are asked to contact a veterinarian immediately if they notice sudden bird deaths, sharp drops in egg production, swelling or discoloration of the comb and wattles, respiratory issues, or other symptoms consistent with avian influenza. Suspected cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
The agency emphasizes that poultry and eggs remain safe to eat, as long as they are handled properly and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
The Iowa DNR is also asking residents to report clusters of 20 or more sick or dead wild birds, which can help track the virus in migratory populations.
