Sac County turkey flock has bird flu, Gov. Reynolds issues proclamation
State and federal agriculture officials confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on October 28 in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, Iowa, marking the state’s eighth confirmed HPAI detection of 2026 and its first commercial-scale case since December 2025.
Iowa Loses Millions of Birds to H5N1
Estimates of the affected flock’s size varied slightly between reporting agencies. The Des Moines Register reported the flock held approximately 44,000 birds, while the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship told the Iowa Capital Dispatch the count was approximately 44,400 turkeys. The flock is located in western Iowa.
Prior to this detection, Iowa had recorded seven 2026 outbreaks restricted to backyard, mixed-species, or game-bird flocks. According to USDA APHIS data, Iowa has lost a cumulative 30.8 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds since the nationwide H5N1 outbreak began in February 2022, representing the highest total bird mortality of any state in the country.
Gov. Kim Reynolds Authorizes Sac County Disaster Proclamation
In response to the confirmation, Gov. Kim Reynolds authorized a disaster proclamation for Sac County effective immediately through November 27, according to the Office of Gov. Kim Reynolds. The disaster proclamation allows state resources to be deployed more easily to help contain and monitor the virus. Response protocols typically require depopulating the affected flock and disposing of the carcasses.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship urged producers and backyard flock owners to strengthen biosecurity practices as fall bird migration accelerates. Wild birds can carry the H5N1 virus without displaying symptoms, serving as a primary vector into domestic barns. Officials recommend that producers review state biosecurity measures and contact a veterinarian immediately if birds show symptoms such as sudden death, lethargy, respiratory distress, or decreased egg production.
HPAI Affects Commercial Flocks Across Six States
Iowa is not alone in facing renewed autumn detections. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed HPAI in commercial and gamebird operations across five other states, including a large flock of 934,600 egg-laying hens in Clinton County, Illinois, confirmed October 19, and 60,600 commercial meat turkeys in Dickey County, North Dakota, confirmed two days later. South Dakota has recorded 17 affected commercial flocks in 2026, alongside recent confirmations in Wisconsin and Kansas.
Despite the agricultural impact, public health agencies maintain that the risk to the general public remains low. Officials emphasize that poultry and egg products remain safe to eat when handled properly and cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Comprehensive figures and tracking updates remain available through the USDA APHIS HPAI detections data portal.