DES MOINES, IOWA — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced on Jan. 25 that the state of Iowa discovered a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County, Iowa, that affected a commercial turkey flock. 

“Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds,” the state agency said. “Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials.” 

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the US Department of Agriculture stated that 27,700 birds were affected in the flock.

Data from the state agency showed that since March 2022, seven commercial HPAI outbreaks have been reported in Buena Vista County.

After reporting cases on Jan. 19, Rockingham County in Virginia reported 10,600 more birds affected by HPAI at a commercial turkey flock. The other most recent case affected 25,300 birds.

As of Feb. 1, 58.24 million backyard and commercial birds have been affected by HPAI and only three states, Louisiana, West Virginia and Hawaii, have yet to report outbreaks.

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