Reynolds issues disaster proclamation after bird flu detected in Hamilton County turkey flock

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Tuesday after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Hamilton County — the state’s ninth detection of the H5N1 bird flu in domestic Iowa flocks in 2025.

State officials said the virus, which can circulate in wild birds without symptoms, is often deadly to domestic poultry, including chickens and turkeys. Producers are being urged to tighten biosecurity practices to prevent further spread.

Poultry producers or those with backyard birds who suspect signs of H5N1, should contact their veterinarian immediately, state officials said. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-5305.

The virus does not pose an immediate public health concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health officials, who emphasize that poultry and eggs remain safe to eat when cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and has caused outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with sporadic human cases among dairy and poultry workers, according to the CDC. While the current public health risk is low, the CDC says it is closely monitoring people with animal exposures and using its influenza surveillance systems to track any bird flu activity in humans.

Since 2024, the United States has recorded 71 human cases and two deaths, and there has been no known person-to-person spread, per the CDC.

Following confirmation of the Hamilton County case in a two-barn turkey site, Gov. Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation effective immediately through Jan. 1, 2026. The order frees state resources to assist with tracking, monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal and disinfection. It also waives certain regulations for commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

As new cases are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, they are added to federal tracking dashboards maintained by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

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