Bird flu detected in Dubuque County, infecting Canada geese

After months of no detections, Iowa wildlife officials have seen an uptick in cases of avian influenza this month.

Most recently, bird flu was confirmed in Canada geese at two locations in Dubuque County.

Bird flu is a highly transmissible viral infection that spreads in certain waterfowl and shorebirds. It also can infect cattle and, rarely, humans.

In addition to the two confirmed cases, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said it has received reports of bird flu in surrounding areas, like Dubuque’s Bergfeld Recreation Area and Heritage Pond.

There are various strains of avian influenza, most of which affect domestic poultry. The DNR said the affected Canada geese in Dubuque have been infected with the H5 strain.

The H5 strain is one of the more contagious strains causing high mortality rates in birds. The virus can lead to respiratory distress and sudden death.

Bird flu also can affect animals that consume infected birds, as the virus can stay viable in a deceased bird for several weeks.

Several parts of the state — and areas across the country — saw significant spikes in bird flu activity last winter and into the spring, in both backyard flocks and commercial operations.

When bird flu is detected in a flock, all birds are culled to prevent the spread of the virus. Outbreaks earlier this year resulted in the culling of more than 700,000 birds.

Jean Wiedenheft, director of land stewardship with Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, said fall is a time when bird flu could become more widespread.

“The fall bird migration has started, so wild birds that could be carrying the flu are moving around and could be transmitting it,” she said. “As the fall migration continues, it would make sense that birds who are infected but not visibly sick would continue to travel.”

Rachel Ruden, wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said migratory periods generally pose a higher risk for diseases in birds because the birds are under increased stress and congregating together at higher densities.

In addition to the cases in Dubuque, Ruden said the Iowa DNR is seeing some “isolated” and “sporadic” bird flu activity in central and north-central Iowa.

“I would say the risk has remained regional at this point but could easily expand to statewide,” Ruden said.

Birds that are infected can display several symptoms of avian influenza, including irregular head and neck movements, tremors, or swimming in circles. Infected birds also can look lethargic and have cloudy eyes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance in May 2024 for how humans can protect themselves from bird flu. It includes not touching sick or dead birds, their feces, litter or any surface or water source that might be contaminated with the birds’ bodily fluids without wearing personal protective equipment.

The Iowa DNR also recommends keeping pets from interacting with sick or dead birds.

“While no human cases of H5 avian influenza have been linked to wild birds in the United States, there have been numerous cases linked to close contact with infected poultry and dairy cattle,” according to a press release from Dubuque County Conservation.

Poultry producers and owners of backyard flocks are encouraged to contact their veterinarian if they suspect a bird has the virus.

Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. She is also a contributing writer for the Ag and Water Desk, an independent journalism collaborative focusing on the Mississippi River Basin.

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Comments: olivia.cohen@thegazette.com