Minnesota has confirmed its first fall case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock of 140,000 birds in Meeker County. Samples were confirmed positive by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. The site is quarantined, and the birds on the premises were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.
A commercial flock of about 50,000 turkeys in Buena Vista County, Iowa, was also recently infected by the highly transmissible bird flu, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza was last detected in Iowa in March in a small flock in Chickasaw County. The virus has been relatively quiet in the state this year after wreaking havoc last year, when infections resulted in the culling of nearly 16 million birds.
Overall, Iowa had about a dozen infected flocks last year from October to December, which affected about 2.5 million chickens and turkeys.
Humans are seldom infected by the virus, but it can spread quickly in domestic flocks and is lethal to the birds. Entire flocks are culled after its presence is confirmed to prevent the spread of the virus to others.
The virus is believed to be transmitted by migrating birds that can carry it without showing symptoms.
“Unfortunately, highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to be an active threat to our state’s turkey producers, egg layers and backyard flocks,” Iowa’s State Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said last week. “We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, review their biosecurity plans and ensure they are fully implemented.”
Three commercial turkey operations in Utah and South Dakota were also recently depopulated after the virus was discovered.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
We recently reported that the cost of Thanksgiving dinner in 2023 was going to be lower than 2022. Well, if HPAI continues to spread and more flocks have to be eradicated, things could change. It is very difficult to contain the disease since it is often spread by migratory birds. We will continue to monitor and hope for containment. Should it continue to spread, it would be bad news for not only consumers but impact poultry producers as well. In the meantime, continue to reach out to all the farmers and ranchers in your area by putting your inventory on AgTruckTrader.com.
