portrait of a white brahma hen with feathers on the feet in the henhouse
Both Minnesota (Meeker County with a 140,000 turkey flock) and South Dakota (Jerauld County with a 47,300 turkey flock) confirmed cases in early October of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). With fall bird migration underway and the virus continuing to circulate in the wild bird population, poultry producers and those with backyard birds should take proactive steps now to defend their flocks.
“We now can confirm it’s here,” said Minnesota Board of Animal Health spokesperson Michael Crusan. “We’re going out there and tackling the case and getting on it right away. Because the sooner that we can address these cases, the more we can reduce that risk of anything potentially moving off that farm.”
In Minnesota, infected commercial flocks must submit 11 pooled swabs per barn every 5-7 days in control areas. All testing must be negative before quarantines can be lifted. Backyard flocks are required to complete a questionnaire and monitor for development of clinical signs but no testing is required. All poultry producers in the control area must comply with stringent biosecurity and permitting protocols in order to move poultry or poultry products off their farms.
Call the Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline at 1-833-454-0156 to report signs or symptoms in birds. Visit www.bah.state.mn.us/hpai/ for more information.
Iowa protocol
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship strongly encourages poultry producers and anyone with backyard birds to be especially vigilant about the signs and symptoms of HPAI and to practice the highest levels of biosecurity around their birds.
“Unfortunately, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to be an active threat to our state’s turkey producers, egg layers and backyard flocks. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, review their biosecurity plans and ensure they are fully implemented,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
Flocks infected with HPAI are normally destroyed to prevent the flu’s spread and then the farms are decontaminated. From the HPAI outbreak of 2022-23, Iowa had the highest numbers of infected with 15.9 million birds, including 25 commercial flocks and six affected backyard flocks.
Iowa’s last reported case of HPAI was reported in a backyard flock in Chickasaw County on March 14.
Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact a veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-5305.
About HPAI
HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease affecting bird populations. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.
The virus spreads easily through droppings or the nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil and be carried onto farms on boots and clothing or on truck tires. Even though wild birds can often carry avian influenza without developing symptoms, the virus has killed a large number of eagles, vultures, ducks and other wild birds.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.
For additional information on HPAI in Iowa, visit iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/avian-influenza.
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