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Bird flu reemerges in Central Iowa backyard flock
It's the first detection in the state in almost a month
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A highly transmissible and lethal avian flu recently infected a backyard flock of about 250 birds in Hardin County, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship confirmed Thursday.
It is the seventh flock known to be infected in Iowa this year and the first in nearly a month. The Hardin County flock consisted of chickens, ducks, geese, guineas and turkeys.
The last outbreak was announced March 14 and comprised about 400,000 young hens in Buena Vista County. Entire flocks are culled to prevent the spread of the virus. It is most often transmitted by migrating birds.
The total number of birds affected this year in Iowa is about 700,000. The other flocks were:
- March 9: A backyard flock of about 30 chickens and ducks in Dallas County
- Feb. 19: A commercial flock of about 30,000 turkeys in Sac County
- Feb. 13: A commercial flock of about 27,000 turkeys in Buena Vista County
- Feb. 2: A commercial flock of about 240,000 egg-laying chickens in O'Brien County
- Jan. 6: A backyard flock of about 60 ducks, chickens and geese in Clinton County.
Comments: (319) 368-8541; jared.strong@thegazette.com
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