CALHOUN COUNTY, Iowa — Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in a Calhoun County commercial turkey flock.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture say this is Iowa’s eighth detection of H5N1 HPAI in domestic birds in 2025. Others include a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, a backyard flock in Hardin County, and a Dallas County mixed species backyard flock.

H5 bird flu infects wild and domestic birds worldwide, and has been known to infect dairy cattle and humans. While typically fatal to domestic birds, the IDALS says cows infected with bird flu can recover with supportive care.

In 2024, Iowa saw its first human case of bird flu and in January of this year, a patient in Louisiana died from the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the threat to the public remains low.

Bird flocks or dairy cattle suspected of being infected with bird flu should be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship immediately. To learn more about the symptoms and how to report cases visit the department’s website.