DES MOINES, IOWA — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship confirmed on June 2 that it detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Cherokee County, Iowa.

The agency said the affected site is a commercial turkey flock, but the number of turkeys was not yet announced.

This is the state’s second detection of HPAI in the last two weeks. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) noted on May 28 that a commercial layer flock in Sioux County, Iowa, tested positive for the virus which would affect around 4.2 million hens. Before that, Iowa had not seen a detection in 2024.

“The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds,” the agency said.

The department added that protection for workers in contact with poultry and dairy cows is also important to limit further transmission.

According to the APHIS website, Cherokee County has not had a commercial turkey outbreak since December 2022.