BIRD FLU CONFIRMED IN MEEKER COUNTY

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is confirming a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Meeker County.

More than 132,000 turkeys are affected at the commercial operation.

Dr. Shauna Voss says the poultry industry has made major strides in detecting and containing the virus since the devastating outbreak in 2015. She says, “The good news is that the industry is pretty conscientious about looking for clinical signs and getting the birds tested. And once we identify a case, we do a lot of surveillance around that area to make sure there is no other virus that’s circulating.”

Bird flu was also confirmed this week in Otter Tail and Swift counties.

The virus re-emerged in Minnesota in mid-September, following a five-month lull.