The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed on Friday, April 10, four new cases of H5N2 avian influenza – including flocks in both Cottonwood County and Watonwan County. The discovery was made after specimens were tested by state and federal facilities after there was a higher than normal amount of bird deaths within the flocks.
In Cottonwood County, affected is a 48,000 flock near Jeffers, while in Watonwan County, it was a 30,000 flock near St. James. Additional flocks were in Lyon County (with 66,000 turkeys) and in Stearns County in central Minnesota (45,000 birds).
Today, Saturday, April 11, another flock, 38,000 birds, in Kandiyohi County was found.
The epidemic, likely spread by wild ducks and geese flying north, has eliminated 13 flocks in Minnesota.
This brings the number of birds affected in Minnesota to approximately, 900,000. The size of affected Minnesota flocks range from 7,000 to 310,000. The Minnesota outbreaks began in early March when a 15,000-bird Pope County flock was found infected .
State authorities have quarantined properties with infected flocks and birds not killed by the flu were euthanized. Turkeys on affected properties are not processed for food.
Eight other states are also affected by bird flu, including two eastern South Dakota counties.
This flu epidemic, likely spread by wild ducks and geese flying north, has, as of now, eliminated 13 flocks in Minnesota..
Minnesota produces the most turkeys in the country – more than 46 million birds.
Officials say there is little chance of humans catching the flu from turkeys.
Following is a run-down – to date – of the Minnesota counties and size of flocks affected by the influenza, courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio:
* Kandiyohi County: 38,000-bird farm (April 11, 2015).
* Cottonwood County: 48,000-bird farm (April 10, 2015).
* Lyon County: 66,000-bird farm (April 10, 2015).
* Watonwan County: 30,000-bird farm (April 10, 2015).
* Stearns County: 45,000-bird farm (April 10, 2015).
* Meeker County: 310,000-bird farm (April 8, 2015).
* Kandiyohi County (April 7, 2015).
* Kandiyohi County: 26,000-bird farm (April 4, 2015).
* Stearns County: 76,000-bird farm (April 4, 2015)
• Stearns County: 71,000-bird farm (April 2, 2015).
* Nobles County: 7,000-bird farm (April 2, 2015).
* Stearns County: 39,000-bird farm (March 28, 2015).
* Lac Qui Parle County: 66,000-bird farm (March 27, 2015).
* Pope County: 15,000-bird farm (March 4, 2015).
