Buena Vista backyard flock tests positive for H5N1, Iowa's sixth 2026 case

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Buena Vista County, the agencies said in a March 4, 2026 notice. The state agencies identified the Buena Vista finding as Iowa’s sixth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.

State reporting outlets placed the Buena Vista detection in a cluster of recent cases across northwest and southeastern Iowa. Officials have identified Iowa's sixth case of bird flu this year, marking the fourth case of the last eight days, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and WeAreIowa noted recent confirmations in Washington County reported Tuesday and earlier detections in Van Buren and Keokuk counties a week before.

Public health authorities reiterated consumer safety guidance after the Buena Vista confirmation. Iowa agriculture officials said, “It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products,” and reminded consumers to properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. WeAreIowa reported the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rates the public health risk of HPAI as low and that “Spread of the disease from poultry to humans is uncommon, but 71 cases — including two deaths — have been reported nationwide since 2024, according to the CDC.”

State agencies are emphasizing reporting and biosecurity for backyard and commercial bird owners. Iowaagriculture advised, “If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of H5N1 HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.” The Iowa Department of Natural Resources asks people who find 20 or more sick or dead wild birds in a small area to report those findings to local DNR Wildlife Management staff. IDALS is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and backyard flock owners to continue bolstering their biosecurity practices and protocols and said the department has numerous biosecurity resources on its website.

The IDALS March 4 announcement included a heading for clinical signs but the bulletin excerpt did not list specific signs, and the state release did not provide a flock size, mortality count, or detail whether depopulation or quarantine orders were in place for the Buena Vista backyard flock. Those operational details remain to be confirmed by IDALS or USDA APHIS.

Historical outbreaks in Buena Vista County underscore local stakes. A March 14, 2025 Iowa Capital Dispatch article by Cami Koons reported a separate HPAI detection in a commercial pullet flock and noted an earlier 2025 commercial turkey flock outbreak that impacted more than 26,000 birds; that 2025 coverage also recorded Gov. Kim Reynolds extending a disaster proclamation for the county through April 13, 2025 and federal discussion of a $1 billion plan to strengthen biosecurity and research a poultry vaccine.

IDALS, USDA APHIS, the Iowa DNR and the CDC continue to monitor detections statewide; backyard flock owners, veterinarians and producers are being urged to follow biosecurity guidance and report suspected cases to IDALS at (515) 281-5305.