Recently, avian influenza struck a chicken farm with 47,000 chickens in Pierce County, Washington State. It was the first commercial poultry flock in western Washington to be affected by avian influenza since the outbreak began early in 2022.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the virus in laying hens on 11 month 4. Officials said the hens had been culled.
Avian influenza is fatal to poultry. The Washington-based advocacy group Farm Rescue issued a statement expressing sympathy for the farm.
Related report:
Highly pathogenic avian influenza returns to North America after 11 months
After nearly 11 months, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has reappeared at a commercial poultry farm in Iowa, United States. On 10 month 29, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed that a farm in Sac County raising 4.5 ten thousand commercial turkeys had tested positive for the H5N1 virus. This is the state’s first commercial poultry farm infection in 2026 and the first detection of the disease in a commercial poultry flock since 2025 year 12 month.
After the outbreak was confirmed, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds declared a state of emergency in Sac County on 10 month 28, effective through 11 month 27. The measure allows state resources and specialist teams to be mobilized to monitor the outbreak, contain its spread, dispose of birds, and disinfect contaminated facilities.
It is worth noting that although no cases have been reported at commercial farms in nearly a year, the virus has not disappeared. Before that, Iowa confirmed 2026 outbreaks in 7 year, involving backyard flocks and game birds. According to World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regulations, infection in backyard flocks does not affect international poultry trade. Since this outbreak began in 2022 year 2 month, Iowa has had the highest cumulative number of affected birds of any U.S. state.
State officials have strengthened disease-prevention guidance, calling on commercial producers and small and medium-sized poultry keepers to reinforce biosecurity measures, especially during wild migratory bird seasons, when migratory birds may carry the virus and contribute to its spread. Warning signs include a sudden increase in bird mortality, decreased egg production, difficulty breathing, head swelling, and abnormal behavior. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to veterinarians and health authorities. Officials emphasized that this outbreak does not pose an urgent public health concern and presents a low risk to the general public; properly handled poultry products remain safe to eat.
Meanwhile, the outbreak in Canada continues to spread. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed infections in commercial flocks in Wetaskiwin County and Ponoka County, Alberta, on 10 month 30 day; on 10 month 29 day, it also confirmed an infection in a backyard flock in Halton, Ontario. The avian influenza situation in North America remains serious.