$1M In Emergency Funds OK’d As Avian Flu Outbreak Hits 1M Birds In MN

MINNESOTA — Minnesota state lawmakers on Thursday approved $1 million in emergency funding to fight a quickly growing outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Senate on Thursday amended a previously passed bill to include $1 million in funding for the state’s Agriculture Department, which was almost unanimously supported by the House in a 129-1 vote.

House Bill 3217, which includes the amendment, now awaits Gov. Tim Walz’s signature.

The original bill, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth), is meant to protect data about individuals connected to farming or agriculture who are seeking mental or behavioral health assistance.

The bill was amended to include emergency funds because it was “very important for us to address in a short-term way the highly pathogenic avian influenza that has come to our state,” Klevorn said, according to a report on the Minnesota House website.

The $1 million emergency funding is meant to help the Agriculture Department pay for avian flu-related expenses until the Minnesota Legislature is back in session April 19.

The funding will give Minnesota officials “a couple weeks” to try to limit the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and mitigate its effects on commercial flocks throughout the state, according to Rep. John Burkel (R-Badger), who is a former turkey farmer.

The avian flu was first detected March 25 in Minnesota. More than 1 million birds in Minnesota have been diagnosed with HPAI since, with diseased flocks confirmed at 22 sites in 11 counties, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

All but two of those sites are commercial turkey farms or processors.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza was also confirmed March 31 in a bald eagle in Dakota County and a great horned owl in Kandiyohi County, according to the USDA.

Minnesota produces more turkeys than any other state, with almost 700 farms producing about 40 million birds per year, the Associated Press reports.

RELATED: MN Bans Poultry Sales, Exhibitions Amid Avian Flu Outbreak

Minnesota officials have imposed a temporary ban on poultry sales and exhibitions from April 1 to May 1. The ban includes all poultry community sales, swaps, fairs, exhibitions and other events where poultry and other birds are brought into close contact, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

HPAI cases have been reported in 24 states in 2022, with more than 22 million chickens and turkeys killed in the past two months to limit the spread of the virus, AP reports.

No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control said this strain of avian influenza — H5N1 — is a low risk to the public.

Minnesotans can report potential cases by calling the Avian Influenza Hotline at 1-833-454-0156 or the Department of Natural Resources at 888-646-6367.

"Any unexplained illness or increase in mortality, decreased egg production, quiet or depressed birds, respiratory or neurologic (twisted necks or quiet) signs of disease should be investigated," the Board of Animal Health said.