Avian Flu Found In Wild Fox In Anoka County; 1st MN Mammal Case: DNR

MINNESOTA — The highly pathogenic avian influenza was recently detected in a wild fox kit in Anoka County, officials said Wednesday.

That represents the first confirmed case of the avian flu in a wild mammal in Minnesota, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources.

Two red fox kits tested positive last week in Ontario, Canada, the first known cases among wild mammals in North America, officials said. Red fox kits have also tested positive for the avian flu in Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan, the Star Tribune reports.

Michelle Carstensen, wildlife health program supervisor for the DNR, said the highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in almost 200 wild birds in Minnesota, mostly waterfowl and raptors.

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The DNR responds to reports of sick wildlife and conducts testing for many diseases. Officials said they will now start testing wildlife for the avian flu as part of its routine screening process for foxes after the first confirmed case in Anoka County.

Dr. Joni Scheftel, who serves as the Minnesota Department of Health’s public health veterinarian, urged residents to “avoid contact with wildlife that appear sick or injured” and to call their health care providers if they were bitten or had close contact with wild animals.

Residents who find sick or dead waterfowl and raptors should report them to the DNR, officials said.

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The Department of Natural Resources said this year’s strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza is “more aggressive” and has killed more domestic and wild birds than the previous strain in 2015.

Almost 2.9 million birds are among the 57 commercial poultry flocks and 16 backyard flocks where the avian flu has been confirmed, as of Wednesday, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cases of the avian flu have been confirmed in commercial flocks, backyard flocks and wild birds in 50 Minnesota counties, the DNR’s data dashboard shows.

Click here for more information from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.