WattAgNet: Over 45 million US birds have been affected by avian flu

Latest avian influenza cases confirmed in turkey flocks in Iowa, Minnesota
Release Date: 2015-06-04
Two new confirmed cases of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza have been confirmed in commercial turkey flocks, pushing the number of birds in the United States affected by avian influenza beyond 45 million.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on July 3 announced the presence of H5N2 avian influenza a flock of 19,400 turkeys in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, the first detection of the virus in that county. Another flock of 13,400 turkeys in Calhoun County, Iowa, was affected. This is the second detection of avian influenza in that county, according to APHIS.

With the latest confirmed cases, the total number of birds impacted by avian influenza in the United States stands at 45,027,793. APHIS has now reported 207 cases of avian influenza in the country since December 19, 2014.

APHIS and several state agriculture and wildlife agencies have confirmed the presence of the virus in birds in 20 states. North of the border, two Canadian provinces – British Columbia and Ontario – have also had confirmed avian influenza cases.

To track confirmed cases of the North American avian influenza outbreak, see WATTAgNet's avian influenza tracker map and bookmark the avian influenza update page for news about and analysis of avian influenza