WattAgNet: Avian influenza cases continue in Minnesota turkey farms

Stearns County has third commercial operation infected with avian influenza and Kandiyohi County has first
Release Date: 2015-04-06
Highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza continues to hit commercial turkey flocks in Minnesota, as the statewide count of infected farms has reached seven.

H5N2 avian influenza on April 6 was confirmed in a third commercial turkey flock in Stearns County, Minnesota. Another H5N2 outbreak was confirmed the same day in Kandiyohi County.

Stearns County avian influenza infection
The third commercial turkey operation in Stearns County, Minnesota, to be hit with avian influenza included a flock of 76,000 turkeys, according to a news release from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). It was located within a control zone from an earlier avian influenza detection. As part of the APHIS response protocol, samples were tested by the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as part of standard surveillance work. The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.

Earlier Stearns County avian influenza cases included a flock of 39,000 turkeys, confirmed on March 28, and a flock of 35,000 turkeys, confirmed on April 2.

Kandiyohi County avian influenza case
A flock of 26,000 turkeys in Kandiyohi County was confirmed to be infected with H5N2 avian influenza.

Samples from the turkey flock, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.

The Minnesota Department of Health is working directly with poultry workers at the affected facilities to ensure that they are taking the proper precautions.

Both recent Minnesota avian influenza cases will be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Stay up to date by using WATTAgNet's interactive avian influenza map to track the latest outbreaks across North America. Filter the map by bird species, operation type, region and date confirmed.