The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a third commercial turkey flock in Stearns County, Minnesota.  This is the sixth confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota.  The flock of 76,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified.

Image/ Szilas
Image/ Szilas

This flock is in the control area for a previous detection.

In addition, the agency confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a molting breeder replacement turkey flock in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota.  This is the seventh confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota.  The flock of 26,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified.

State officials quarantined the affected premises and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

The Minnesota Department of Health is working directly with poultry workers at the affected facilities to ensure that they are taking the proper precautions. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses.

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds.