Avian Flu Confirmed in Dubuque After Bird Deaths at Bergfeld Pond

My wife and I have tried to visit all the amazing natural areas in Dubuque at least once. Unfortunately, our first visit to Bergfeld Pond was eventful, but not for the reason I had hoped.

First off, the John G. Berfeld Recreation Area is well-maintained, easily accessible, and a great place for a walk, some fishing, or for kids to enjoy a playground in the city of Dubuque. However, on this occasion, my wife and I were met with a rather grisly sight. On our walk through the area, we counted 10 dead Canadian Geese and two that seemed rather off. The two odd geese didn't flee when we walked by; instead, it seemed like there was something seriously wrong with them. My first thought was Avian Flu. So I took some photos and sent a message to Dubuque County Conservation.

Just yesterday (9/23/25), my suspicions were confirmed by a joint press release from the Iowa DNR, City of Dubuque, Dubuque County Conservation, and the Dubuque County Public Health office: it's official, H5 Avian Influenza, or HPAI, has been confirmed in Dubuque.

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It turns out our experience at Bergfeld Pond wasn’t an isolated one. According to state wildlife officials, sick and dead birds have been reported in Dubuque County and across the state, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirming a noticeable spike in September. While Dubuque has seen the most recent confirmations, cases are also being tracked in central and north-central Iowa.

Canada geese are taking the hardest hit, but mallards, red-tailed hawks, wood ducks, and some pelicans have shown signs of infection as well. Infected birds often act strangely: they may swim in circles, stumble around with tremors, tilt their heads unnaturally, or sit motionless with cloudy eyes. Sadly, once you know what to look for, it becomes obvious something isn’t right. The cloudy eyes and strange tilted head of the geese that were alive but seemed off on our walk are now dead giveaways to me that avian influenza is present in a flock.

For residents, the most important thing to remember is NOT to touch these birds. Keep your distance, keep your pets away, and report sightings instead of trying to help. In Dubuque County, reports can be made to Dubuque County Conservation at (563) 556-6745 or conservationservice@dubuquecounty.us. I sent my message through Facebook, since the offices were closed on Sunday when my pictures were taken.

Here's the next important thing: poultry owners, whether you have a large operation or a small backyard coop, you should be especially alert. If you suspect illness in your flock, call your veterinarian right away and also notify the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305. The biggest thing to watch for is wild bird droppings that could infect your local flock of ducks, geese, or chickens. If possible, never let your domesticated flocks mix with wild birds or the waters they use.

Hunters are also urged to take precautions. While the risk to people is low, handling game always carries some exposure potential. Field dress birds with gloves, avoid contact with carcasses that look suspicious, and cook all meat to at least 165°F. Hunters should also prevent dogs from eating or carrying dead birds, since scavengers can also be affected and pass on the disease.

The H5N1 strain circulating now is part of a larger outbreak that has impacted wild birds across North America since 2022. Unfortunately, it doesn’t just affect the birds: animals like red foxes have also been infected after consuming carcasses, and even the rare human case can occur. With fall migration underway, there’s every reason to believe this won’t stay a Dubuque-only issue. So Iowans in general should keep their eyes peeled and notify the state DNR or local conservation officers if they feel something is amiss.

In short, keep enjoying our beautiful parks and natural areas, but do so with caution. If you see a sick or dead bird, report it, just like I did. A little awareness and action now can help limit the spread across our county and the state, and keep chicken on the dinner table at a reasonable price.