Bird Flu Detected in Hardin County, Iowa Backyard Flock

By Cami Koons

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected Thursday in a mixed-species backyard flock in Hardin County, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. 

The H5N1 bird flu has impacted more than 168 million birds since February 2022, when outbreaks of the strain began in the country. Thus far, more than 900 flocks with cases of the flu were backyard flocks. 

This is the seventh HPAI detection in Iowa this year and the third detection in a backyard flock. Previous backyard flock detections in 2025 were in Dallas and Clinton counties. 

HPAI has a low public health risk, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but there have been 70 known cases of transmission to humans. Officials hold that poultry and eggs remain safe to consume. 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins rolled out a five-pronged plan and $1 billion to stop the spread of HPAI and to reduce the cost of eggs in the country, which has increased largely due to supply disruptions from the bird flu.

The plan includes heightened biosecurity measures, audits and research into the virus and potential treatments for birds. 

IDALS encourages backyard and commercial poultry producers to monitor their flocks and contact a veterinarian immediately, and report cases to the department, if they suspect signs of the bird flu.

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