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‘Poultry remains safe to consume’

Backyard flock owners can purchase chicks for spring

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship confirmed earlier this week the state’s first 2025 detection of the highly pathogenic avian flu in a multi-species backyard flock in Clinton County.

This follows a series of detections in commercial and backyard flocks across the state beginning in December 2024 with cases confirmed in Sioux, Palo Alto, Sac, O’Brien, and Worth counties. These cases were found in wild birds and commercial flocks.

“Since wild birds carry the virus, and the risk is higher during the migration season, small flock owners can protect their flock by practicing good biosecurity,” said Dr. Yuko Sato, Iowa State University Extension veterinarian. “Poultry owners should be aware of any strange activity such as neurologic signs and/or mortality patterns in their flock such as losing 25-50 percent of the flock in a day or two. If suspected, contact the state veterinarian’s office for next steps.”

In the winter months, it is common for backyard flock owners to order young chicks, goslings, and ducklings to add to their flock. Despite avian flu cases in Iowa, Sato said owners can still plan for young birds in the spring.

“Highly pathogenic avian influenza will result in acute death in domestic poultry,” said Sato. “Birds affected with flu will not be producing fertile eggs, and the virus is not transmitted from hen to chicken either way.”

Avian influenza is listed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a low public health risk. Infections from birds to humans have come from direct contact with dairy cattle as well as commercial, backyard, or wild birds that had the virus.

Poultry, egg, and dairy products are still safe for consumption.

“The affected birds do not make it to the food supply chain thanks to continuous robust pre-harvest surveillance testing performed in the poultry industry,” said Sato. “Therefore, it remains safe to enjoy poultry products, including eggs. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.”

IDALS reported the first case of the avian flu virus infecting a human in Iowa on Dec. 20. The individual is a commercial poultry worker who was exposed by a flock in northwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services at the time said the individual had mild symptoms and was recovering.

IDALS continues to urge commercial and backyard producers to contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect birds to have avian flu. A heightened biosecurity checklist is located on the IowaAgriculture.gov website.

Webster County and area residents who find five or more sick or dead wild birds within a week should contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

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