Exploring Methods to Evaluate HPAI Transmission Risk in Iowa During Peak HPAI Incidence, February 2022–December 2023

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), H5N1 strain, began to circulate in the United States on 8 February 2022. The state of Iowa lost the most domestic poultry to HPAI from February 2022–December 2023. This study conducted preliminary evaluations on two environmental risk factors, (inland water surface area, Canada geese abundance) and the availability of the data needed to evaluate them. Higher Canada geese abundance was significantly associated (X² = 4.29, p = 0.04) with HPAI negative counties. Farm location data were unavailable, limiting our analysis. Van den Broeck et al.’s framework was used to evaluate the available data. Outcome data from Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) had the highest data quality score (11). Canada geese and inland water surface area are predictors worth evaluating, but poultry farm location data are needed for a comprehensive evaluation.