Bird flu detected in commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County

DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds has declared a disaster proclamation in Buena Vista County after avian influenza was detected by the United States Department of Agriculture in a commercial turkey flock. That finding was after last week’s positive case of the bird flu in a backyard, non-commercial flock in Pottawattamie County.

With the signing of the proclamation by Reynolds, it allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

The recent highly pathogenic avian influenza detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of the bird flu in their flocks, they are asked to contact their veterinarian immediately.