USDA confirms more Minnesota turkey flocks with HPAI

APHIS confirms two additional Minnesota turkey flocks with H5N2 avian flu, bringing state's tally to seven.

April 6, 2015

1 Min Read
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed April 6 the presence of H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a third commercial turkey flock in Stearns County, Minn., and in a molting breeder replacement turkey flock in Kandiyohi County, Minn.

The new Stearns County case is the sixth confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota. The flock of 76,000 turkeys is in the control area for a previous detection from last week. As part of our response protocol, samples were tested by the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as part of the APHIS standard surveillance work. The APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.

APHIS is working closely with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the 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 Kandiyohi County flock is the seventh confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota. The flock of 26,000 turkeys experienced increased mortality, and samples were tested at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.

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.

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