38 sites in Minnesota have been confirmed to be infected with bird flu, affecting 1.84 million birds-West Central Tribune

Wilmar

— The number of sites infected with bird flu in Minnesota reached 38 as of Thursday’s state report, with more than 1.84 million affected birds since March, most of them commercially bred. It is a turkey.

New confirmations have been announced in the counties of Benton, Blue Earth, Otter Tail and Waseka.

According to the State Animal Health Commission, H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza was identified on Wednesday in three additional commercial meat turkey surgeries and seven bird backyard producers in Benton County.

In Benton County, both backyard producers have a total of two reports.

Thursday’s report includes the first site in Blue Earth County, a herd of 22,500 people. Otter Tail currently has a second site with a herd of 36,000, and the third site in Waseca County has a herd of 20,000.

As of Thursday, Animal Health Commission aggregates show 1,842,860 affected birds across the state. Infected herds are depopulated.

The

USDA

Depopulation is defined as “when a large number of animals must be destroyed in response to an animal health emergency.”

The two main methods are water-based foam for birds raised on the floor and carbon dioxide gas for birds in cages. USDA says they are the most humane and effective option available in emergencies, including large numbers of birds.

The majority of infections in Minnesota are due to commercial meat turkey surgery. According to the Animal Health Commission, the other production types confirmed to be diagnosed were all three commercial turkey breeder flock in Kandiyohi County. Two commercial chicken businesses in Morrison County — one broiler group and one egg group. And four backyard producers.

A web page of the Board of Directors specializing in dealing with bird flu in the state —

bah.state.mn.us/hpai

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