Tuesday, April 07, 2015

APHIS: HPAI H5N2 At 8th Minnesota Turkey Farm

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The USDA’s APHIS has announced that another Minnesota farm has been hit by the Highly Pathogenic H5N2 virus, bringing to 8 the number commercial flocks hit so far in that state.

 

This is the second outbreak reported in the past 24 hours from Kandiyohi county.

 

Although Minnesota has been the hardest hit, with 8 commercial poultry operations infected, H5 viruses (including H5N2, H5N8 and H5N1) have now been reported in 12 states, and 2 Canadian provinces (B.C. &  Ontario) since the arrival of HPAI H5N8 to North America last fall.

 

This latest update from the USDA.

 

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in 2nd Kandiyohi County, Minnesota Commercial Turkey Flock

Published: Apr 7, 2015

 

CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2015 -- 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 a molting breeder replacement turkey flock in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. This is the eighth confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota. The flock of 30,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.  No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.

Samples from the turkey flock, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings. NVSL is the only internationally recognized AI reference laboratory in the United States.   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.

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