Ban on Poultry Events Extended

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says it is extending the statewide ban on poultry events until July 1st.

The ban was first enacted in April and includes all poultry swaps, fairs, exhibitions, and other events where live poultry and susceptible birds are brought together and then dispersed. The ban was extended once to help stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

HPAI has affected 79 sites and almost three million birds in Minnesota. Nine of those sites are in Stearns County, one of the state’s top turkey producing counties.

“HPAI cases have been on the decline and at one point we had several days of no new detections in Minnesota,” said Board of Animal Health Interim State Veterinarian Dr. Linda Glaser. “However, a small number of recent HPAI detections in new counties is cause for us to extend the ban. This ban primarily impacts backyard flock owners and is intended to protect their birds from a potential pathway for the virus to spread at poultry events.”

The last reported infection was reported on May 21st in a commercial operation in Dakota County.

According to a press release from the board, as part of the state and federal response, detecting HPAI in a backyard flock means the owner cannot have any new birds for 150 days following the disposal of infected birds. Biosecurity is still the most effective precaution backyard owners can follow to protect their flock.

Direct selling of baby poultry is still allowed through private sales, stores, or via mail by National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized sellers.

Follow the latest information on HPAI in Minnesota and resources for poultry owners on the board’s website by clicking here.

Anyone who needs to report sick birds or has questions about the outbreak can call the Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline at 1-833-454-0156.

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