The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed the first cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the state. Dr. Beth Thompson is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and says three cases tested positive in Meeker, Mower and Stearns Counties. Two were commercial turkey operations, the other a backyard mixed flock. So far, more than 313,000 birds have been infected in Minnesota alone.
She says the spread and morphology of the virus is different than in 2015 and it’s hitting earlier, even before the main wild bird migration takes place.
Thompson says the cases in 2015 also started on the west coast and moved into the Midwest, opposite of this spring.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is working with USDA’s emergency response team to support the state’s disease control and containment efforts, plus coordinate state and federal logistics and finances. So far, no export restrictions have been announced.
