H5 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Discovered in Commercial Turkey Flock

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says routine testing has turned up H5 low pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Kandiyohi County.

LPAI has been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Officials say the H5 LPAI does not pose a risk to the public, and there is no food safety concern for consumers. They add that this is not the same virus that was the cause of the highly pathogenic and deadly bird flu outbreak that killed millions of turkeys across the Midwest in 2015.

According to a press release from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson says,
“Testing birds before they go to market is standard protocol for our poultry flocks in Minnesota because it verifies healthy birds are sent to market, and if disease is detected, we can hold the flock and work quickly with producers to address the disease.”

The Board quarantined the flock on Monday, November 22nd, and continues to monitor and test that flock as well as commercial poultry operations and individuals with backyard flocks within a roughly six and a half-mile radius for signs of the disease.

Federal, state, and industry partners are working with the Board in its response and say strict biosecurity practices in commercial and private flock owners must be maintained to isolate flocks from potential outside sources of infection. That includes preventing birds from exposure to wild birds and other types of poultry.

The Board has biosecurity resources available to assist producers with forming and implementing plans. Learn more by clicking here.

The deadly bird flu outbreak in 2015 was first discovered in early March of that year, and by May 30th, more than 43 million birds in 15 states had been destroyed.

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