Bird Flu Detected in Commercial Egg Layer Flock in O’Brien County, Iowa

By Cami Koons

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced Sunday a detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in O’Brien County. 

This is the second detection of the bird flu in 2025 in Iowa. 

According to a spokesperson for IDALS, approximately 240,000 layer hens at a commercial egg facility in O’Brien County were affected by the flu. 

To date, Iowa has had more birds affected by the current outbreak of the avian influenza than any other state. Since December 2024, more than 6.7 million egg laying hens in Iowa have been culled in efforts to contain the spread of the bird flu.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food price outlook for 2025 points to the ongoing challenges of HPAI as the reason for volatility in consumer egg prices. 

According to the report, retail egg prices are predicted to increase by 20% in 2025. Prices at the end of 2024 were nearly 37% higher than they were in December 2023. 

IDALS said egg and poultry products are still safe to eat, and the department reminds consumers to always cook egg and poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F. 

The public health risk of the avian influenza remains low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Iowans are urged to continue to monitor their backyard or commercial flocks for any signs of the avian influenza. People should also stay away from dead or sick-looking wild birds as they can also carry the disease.

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