For the second time this month, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species game bird hatchery in Kossuth County. The flock includes pheasants, quail and chukars. This is Iowa’s second detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026, with both cases involving game birds in Kossuth County.
IDALS strongly encourages Iowa poultry producers and backyard flock owners to continue bolstering their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks. The Department has numerous biosecurity resources to reference on its website.
If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to IDALS at (515) 281-5305…