Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Iowa Backyard Flock

State and federal agencies confirm H5N1 HPAI case in Washington County

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Washington County, Iowa. This is the state's fifth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.

Why it matters

H5N1 HPAI is a highly contagious and deadly virus that can spread rapidly through domestic and wild bird populations. The detection in Iowa highlights the ongoing threat of avian influenza outbreaks, which can have significant impacts on poultry producers, food supplies, and public health.

The details

The infected backyard flock in Washington County contained a mix of bird species. H5N1 HPAI is known to be fatal to domestic birds like chickens and turkeys, though it can also spread asymptomatically in wild bird populations. The Iowa Department of Agriculture is urging all poultry producers and backyard flock owners to bolster their biosecurity measures to protect their birds.

  • The case was detected on March 3, 2026.

The players

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The state agency responsible for overseeing agriculture and food production in Iowa, including responding to animal disease outbreaks.

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

The federal agency that works to protect animal and plant health, including monitoring and responding to outbreaks of diseases like avian influenza.

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What’s next

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will continue to monitor the situation and work with federal partners to contain the outbreak. Poultry producers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of avian influenza immediately.

The takeaway

This latest detection of H5N1 HPAI in Iowa underscores the ongoing threat that avian influenza poses to both commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Strict biosecurity measures and prompt reporting of suspected cases are crucial to limiting the spread of this highly contagious and deadly virus.