Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 HPAI) has been detected in a commercial turkey flock in Iowa, marking the state’s fifth case within poultry this year. The affected flock, located in Palo Alto County, will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the virus. Earlier this year, 13 cases of H5N1 were confirmed in dairy herds in Iowa, although the virus typically has limited impact on cattle.
The Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship is urging poultry and dairy producers to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of H5N1. It is important to note that there is no food safety risk associated with the virus, and both eggs and poultry products from unaffected flocks remain safe to consume.
This latest detection of H5N1 underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and biosecurity measures to protect Iowa’s poultry and dairy industries from the impacts of avian influenza.
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