Another Avian Influenza case identified

DES MOINES — The state’s eighth case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 2024 was identified over the weekend in northwestern Iowa. The new case is in a commercial layer flock in O’Brien County.

Four new cases have been reported in the past couple of weeks, all in northwestern Iowa. Two of the cases were in separate commercial layer flocks in Sioux County, a case was reported in a commercial turkey flock in Palo Alto County, and last Wednesday a case was reported in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County.

Avian Influenza is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. It can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and wild turkeys.