DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this month in Kossuth, Cerro Gordo, Clay and Hamilton counties.

The affected site in Kossuth County is a hatchery with game bird pheasants, quail and chukars. The affected site in Cerro Gordo County is a mixed species backyard flock.

The three affected sites in Clay County are game bird duck farms, with one of the farms also containing a small backyard mixed species flock. The affected site in Hamilton County is a flock of commercial breeding chickens.

Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.