2 additional Minnesota sites confirmed to have avian flu; total birds affected now total more than 1.9M

WILLMAR, Minn. — Two more commercial turkey flocks have been added to the growing list of confirmed avian flu sites in Minnesota as of Friday's noon update, bringing the statewide total to 40 sites and 1,939,067 birds affected.

A 20,000-bird commercial meat turkey flock in Blue Earth County is the second site for that county, and Meeker County reported a 73,207-bird commercial meat turkey flock to mark its third affected site.

The vast majority of infections in Minnesota have been in commercial meat turkey operations. Other production types with confirmed diagnoses, according to the Board of Animal Health, have been three commercial turkey breeder hen flocks, all located in Kandiyohi County; two commercial chicken operations in Morrison County — one broiler flock and one egg layer flock; and four backyard producers.

More Avian Flu coverage:

1. Minnesota tops nation in wild birds confirmed dead from bird flu
2. Avian flu tops Willmar roundtable discussion, but ag producers have many other concerns
3. Avian influenza could rise again as migratory season approaches
4. We baked and taste-tested six egg replacers so you didn't have to. Here are the best and the worst
5. Eggs-tremely high prices have consumers flocking to odd places for eggs — including a Moorhead thrift store

The board's web page devoted to avian flu response in the state — bah.state.mn.us/hpai — is updated at noon each weekday with the information that is known about infection sites. Data from previous days also may be updated by quality control staff if more accurate information is gathered later.

The first Minnesota cases of the disease — which is fatal to domestic poultry — were confirmed March 25.

A total of 17 counties in the state have been impacted so far. The other affected counties are Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Dodge, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, LeSueur, Morrison, Mower, Otter Tail, Renville, Stearns, Swift, Waseca and Yellow Medicine.

Farmers and flock owners are encouraged to contact the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or farmstress@state.mn.us for support at any time.