Six New Outbreaks of High-path Bird Flu Confirmed in US
US - A further six outbreaks of H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza - four in Minnesota and two in South Dakota - have been confirmed in commercial turkey flocks, affecting 288,000 birds.
11 April 2015
3 minute read
By: In a statement on 10 April, 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 an additional four commercial turkey flocks in Minnesota.
There are 13 total confirmed cases in Minnesota. These flocks are within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified.
The affected flocks are in:
- Cottonwood County - 48,000 turkeys
- Lyon County - 66,000 turkeys
- Stearns County 45,000 turkeys (fourth detection in the county)
- Watonwan County - 30,000 turkeys
Samples from the turkey flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings.
Also on 10 April, APHIS has confirmed the presence of the same virus in two more commercial turkey flocks in South Dakota, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in that State to four.
These flocks are within the Central flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified.
The affected flocks are in:
- McCook County – 53,000 turkeys
- McPherson County – 46,000 turkeys
Samples from the turkey flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the South Dakota State University Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory and the NVSL confirmed the findings.
APHIS is working closely with the two states' animal health authorities on a joint incident response.
