News

Avian influenza breaks out in western Minnesota

High pathogenic avian influenza has infected turkeys in Pope County, Minnesota.  It’s confirmed to be the same strain found in birds in the Pacific Northwest.

The virus was found in three turkey barns within a 12-mile radius in Pope County.  A Minneapolis Star Tribune story says about 15,000 birds died in one of the barns.  Biosecurity measures are being taken to prevent the disease from spreading.

The Centers for Disease Control considers the risk to people from these infections to be low and no human infections are reported.

The USDA says it’s the first appearance of the highly pathogenic H5N2 strain in the Mississippi flyway.