H5N1 Avian Flu Confirmed in Commercial Poultry Across Four U.S. States
An outbreak of H5N1 avian flu has been confirmed in commercial poultry operations across four U.S. states: Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Idaho. The affected facilities include a turkey farm in Wright County, Minnesota, impacting 29,800 birds; a commercial turkey operation in McPherson County, South Dakota, with 61,300 birds; another facility in Turner County, South Dakota, affecting 43,800 turkeys; and a commercial bird operation in Lamoure County, North Dakota, with 41,600 birds. Additionally, a commercial poultry breeding operation in Edmunds County, South Dakota, housing 30,200 birds, has tested positive. Idaho also reported two backyard outbreaks in Canyon and Gem counties. In total, over the past 30 days, eight commercial flocks and six backyard flocks have been infected, leading to the culling of approximately 360,000 birds. Federal policy mandates the depopulation of an entire flock upon confirmation of H5N1 to prevent further spread, regardless of whether all individual birds are sick.
