WattAgNet: Avian influenza hits 13 more Minnesota turkey flocks

Number of turkeys in three of those flocks has not yet been determined
Release Date: 2015-04-23

H5N2 avian influenza has been confirmed in 13 more commercial turkey flocks in Minnesota, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on April 22.

The latest round of avian influenza cases include five in Kahdiyohi County, three in Stearns County, three in Meeker County and one each in Otter Tail and Redwood counties. All of those counties had experienced at least one previous avian influenza case.

While the number of turkeys in one affected Kandiyohi County flock has not yet been made available, the amount of turkeys in the other four flocks totaled 189,600, with the largest of those flocks consisting of 75,000 birds.

In Stearns County, one flock of 72,500 turkeys and another of 28,500 were infected, while number of birds involved in the third flock has yet to be determined. Meeker County had one flock of 58,900 and another flock of 10,700 affected, while the number in the third flock is pending.

The Otter Tail County case involved 34,500 turkeys, and the Redwood County case involved 35,500 turkeys.

The affected premises have been quarantined and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.

To keep updated on confirmed avian influenza outbreaks in North America, see WATTAgNet’s avian influenza map.