(Iowa) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and federal partners have been monitoring highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds since early 2022. After nearly a year without detections, cases have risen sharply in Iowa, mostly north of Interstate 80, due to migration stress and severe cold.
HPAI, a highly transmissible virus, has affected wild birds across North America on an unprecedented scale since 2022, particularly the H5N1 strain. Dabbling ducks are key indicators, with detections increasing in mid-November, followed by reports of sick and dead geese. The virus can also affect scavengers like eagles, red foxes, and other mammals.
The public is urged to report findings of five or more sick or dead birds or any solitary cases to local wildlife biologists or conservation officers. Contact details are available at Iowa DNR’s website. The virus can persist in dead birds for weeks, and the public should avoid handling sick birds or taking them to rehabilitators.
Backyard birdfeeders are not a concern unless frequented by waterfowl. Upland birds, like wild turkeys, have been largely unaffected. Waterfowl hunters should follow safety precautions, including wearing gloves, cooking meat to 165°F, and preventing hunting dogs from interacting with carcasses. Additional guidelines are available at USDA and Ducks Unlimited.
Poultry producers should report suspected HPAI cases to their veterinarian or the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.
