Containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a critical step which must be properly performed to ensure human and animal safety. The intent is to deactivate and eliminate the active virus thus inhibiting the probability of its further transmission. For future outbreaks of HPAI, the priority of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) will be to utilize on-farm mortality disposal options such as aerobic composting and/or burial. Aerobic composting, a heat producing microbial process, is a USDA-approved method which can attain and maintain temperatures needed for deactivation of the avian influenza virus in turkey and chicken carcasses.