The highly pathogenic H5N2 strain of avian influenza has now impacted 5.3-million laying hens on an Iowa egg operation, Agri-Pulse reports.
The operation represents about 1.5-percent of the total layer population in the United States.
Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture says the egg farm is a significant producer and highlights how important it is that everything possible is done to contain the disease and work to prevent its spread.
Northey says poultry farmers in Iowa are very focused on implementing biosecurity best practices.
The operation has been quarantined and all birds will be destroyed.
