A commercial turkey operation in Hamilton County, Iowa was listed as the 68th case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, in the state.
An estimated 17,000 turkeys were in the Hamilton County flock that has experienced increased mortality, according to a May 28, 2015 statement from the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Initial testing showed the farm was positive for H5 avian influenza, but they were awaiting additional testing before the virus was confirmed at the facility.
Hamilton County became the 18 Iowa county to be impacted by avian influenza since the first cases were confirmed in April 2015 in Buena Vista and Sac counties, the Iowa Ag Department report said.
Final tests showed two previously suspected cases in Sioux County, and one in Buena Vista County, were negative for the bird flu virus in an updated posted May 28.
The total poultry affected was more than 28,600,000 according to state officials.
