High path avian flu has now been confirmed at an Iowa egg farm that has nearly 10 percent of the state’s laying hens and over one percent of the layers in the nation.

USDA has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) at an Osceola County commercial laying facility with 5.3 million hens. This is the second confirmed HPAI case in the state and only the second nationwide to impact chickens rather than turkeys.

The flock experienced increased mortality and samples were sent to the South Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for preliminary testing. The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.

USDA APHIS is working closely with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the premise and birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health are working directly with poultry workers at the affected facility to ensure proper precautions are being taken.