Highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza has been confirmed in a commercial layer flock in Wright County, Iowa, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported on June 17. This is the sixth avian influenza detection in the county.
The newest detection of H5N2 avian influenza is the first confirmed case of the virus in the United States in more than a week, as the last avian influenza case confirmed by APHIS was reported on June 9 in a backyard flock of mixed game fowl in Sioux County, Iowa. The last commercial flocks to be affected by avian influenza were confirmed on June 5, when two Minnesota turkey flocks were affected – one in Kandiyohi County and one in Brown County. Between those two operations, 83,000 turkeys were affected.
The number of birds affected by avian influenza in the United States since December 19, 2014 is now more than 48 million, according to APHIS.
The birds in the Wright County flock will be depopulated and the property will be disinfected.
To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see WATTAgNet's avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza.
