are pheasants affected by bird flu

Backyard flocks have been more often infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza this fall compared with fall 2022. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A highly contagious avian flu continues to scourge domestic bird flocks in Iowa this fall with a further two confirmed infections in Cerro Gordo and Kossuth counties, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Iowa flocks this fall have occurred at about triple the rate of fall 2022, but the overall number of infected birds is much lower.

The most recent detections were at a Kossuth County game bird hatchery with about 13,000 pheasants, quail and chukars the second such infection confirmed in that county and a mixed-species backyard flock in Cerro Gordo County with about 75 birds.

The virus is often spread by migrating birds. Because of its transmissibility and mortality rate for domestic birds, entire flocks are destroyed to help prevent its further spread.

Last year there were 11 total detections in October, November and December in Iowa flocks that totaled about 2.5 million birds. Nine of the infected flocks were commercial chicken or turkey sites.

This fall there have been 13 detections, but fewer than half have been large chicken or turkey sites. This years flocks have totaled about 1.4 million birds. The vast majority of those affected birds were of one egg-laying flock in Taylor County, which had about 1.2 million chickens.

Its unclear why the virus has more often affected smaller backyard and game bird flocks this year than last year.

I dont know that there is any pattern to derive from this falls infections, said Don McDowell, an IDALS spokesperson.

He urged flock owners to vigilantly follow their biosecurity plans and to keep wild birds away from domestic birds.

Nov. 10: A commercial egg-laying facility in Taylor County with about 1.2 million chickens. Nov. 10: A backyard mixed species flock in Jones County with 23 birds. Nov. 7: A game bird farm in Kossuth County with about 8,576 pheasants, peafowl and chickens. Nov. 3: A commercial chicken breeding facility in Hamilton County with about 15,000 birds. Nov. 3: A duck farm with a backyard mixed species flock in Clay County with about 7,361 birds. Nov. 3: A duck farm in Clay County with about 8,270 birds. Nov. 3: A duck farm in Clay County with about 1,700 birds. Oct. 31: A commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County with about 30,000 birds. Oct. 23: A commercial turkey flock in Pocahontas County with about 47,500 birds. Oct. 23: A backyard flock in Guthrie County with about 50 birds. Oct. 20: A commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County with about 50,000 birds. X

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Senior reporter Jared Strong has written about Iowans and the important issues that affect them for more than 15 years, previously for the Carroll Times Herald and the Des Moines Register.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

The USDA National Veterinary Services lab is receiving samples from this detection for confirmatory testing. However, in order to react quickly and lessen the impact, the department has collaborated with the premises operator.

A list of properties scheduled to receive pheasants in the next two weeks can be found on the 2023 Pheasant Allocation page at www.pgc.pa.gov.

The Southwest Game Farm in Armstrong County serves the remaining counties, and over the course of the next two weeks, pheasant releases restricted to roosters will take place in those counties as planned.

Apart from a standard hunting license, hunters also need to purchase a $26 pheasant permit. 97 for adults. Fees assist the organization in defraying the cost of preparing birds for the four-month season. Junior license holders (ages 12 to 17) are eligible for a free pheasant permit.

According to the agency, these changes are being made to drastically lower the possibility of an HPAI outbreak, which could have disastrous effects for pheasant hunters.

Although there are roughly three times as many highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in Iowa flocks this fall as there were in fall 2022, there are significantly fewer birds overall that are infected.

The virus is often spread by migrating birds. Due to its transmissibility and high mortality rate among domestic birds, whole flocks are eliminated in an effort to stop it from spreading further.

In October, November, and December of last year, there were a total of 11 detections in Iowa flocks, or roughly 2. 5 million birds. There were nine commercial chicken or turkey sites among the infected flocks.

Nov. 10: A Taylor County commercial egg-laying facility with roughly 1 2 million chickens. Nov. 10: A mixed-species backyard flock of twenty-three birds in Jones County Nov. 7. A Kossuth County game bird farm with roughly 8,576 pheasants, peafowl, and chickens Nov. 3. A roughly 15,000-bird commercial chicken breeding facility located in Hamilton County Nov. 3. A mixed-species backyard flock of approximately 7,361 ducks located in Clay County on a duck farm Nov. 3. A Clay County duck farm with roughly 8,270 birds Nov. 3. A Clay County duck farm with roughly 1,700 birds Oct. 31: A commercial flock of roughly 30,000 turkeys in Buena Vista County Oct. 23: A Pocahontas County commercial turkey flock consisting of roughly 47,500 birds Oct. 23: A Guthrie County backyard flock of roughly fifty birds Oct. 20: A commercial flock of roughly 50,000 turkeys in Buena Vista County X.

IDALS spokesman Don McDowell stated, “I don’t know that there is any pattern to derive from this fall’s infections.”

FAQ

Which bird is most affected by bird flu?

Waterfowl, such as swans, ducks, and geese, are the type of birds that are most likely to be infected with avian influenza. Although wild backyard birds and pigeons are unlikely to be infected with avian influenza, it is always best to minimize contact with fecal material.

Are backyard birds affected by avian flu?

Backyard flocks (poultry or non-poultry) are also at risk, as are captive or pet birds with access to the outdoors, where they could be exposed to infected wild birds.

What animals can get bird flu?

Bird flu viruses have in the past been known to sometimes infect mammals that eat (presumably infected) birds or poultry, including but not limited to wild animals, such as seals, bears, foxes, skunks; farmed mink; stray or domestic animals, such as cats and dogs; and zoo animals, such as tigers and leopards.

Can ducks get bird flu?

Wild water birds (like ducks and geese) can be infected with avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses, but usually do not get sick. Infected birds have virus in their saliva, mucous and droppings (feces).