(Des Moines)– The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced Thursday a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in a mixed species flock in Kossuth county. Officials say the mixed flock includes game bird pheasants and backyard chickens.
It’s Iowa’s first detection of HPAI within domestic birds in 2026.
HPAI, also known as H5N1, is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic birds. The virus can travel in wild birds without them appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations.
Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Kossuth county in response to the detection.
