–A positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in Kossuth County, the first confirmed case of 2026 in Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service made the announcement on Thursday afternoon. The positive case comes from a mixed species flock in Kossuth County that includes nearly 7,000 game bird pheasants and around 120 backyard chickens.
Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a proclamation that allows state resources to be used to help dispose of the euthanized birds and disinfect the site.
With this positive case, IDALS officials are strongly encouraging poultry producers and backyard flock owners, especially those in and around Kossuth County, to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols. Anyone who suspects their flocks may be showing signs of avian influenza should contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-5305.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is asking anyone who may find 20 or more sick or dead wild birds in a small area to contact their local DNR Wildlife Management staff.
You can find a list of positive Avian Influenza cases online at
www.aphis.usda.gov/h5n1-hpai?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#detections-hpai.
