MN Bans Poultry Sales, Exhibitions Amid Avian Flu Outbreak

MINNESOTA — Minnesota officials are set to impose a temporary ban Friday on poultry sales and exhibitions after the highly pathogenic avian flu was found in several poultry flocks in the state.

The ban, which is due to run from April 1 to May 1, 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.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza was first detected in the U.S. in January, before the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the disease in early February in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana, the Board of Animal Health said.

The avian flu was first detected March 25 in Minnesota.

A Meeker County commercial turkey flock tested positive after some birds died and others showed signs of depression, officials said. Positive tests were also confirmed among chickens, ducks and geese at a Mower County backyard producer.

The avian flu has since been detected in commercial turkey flocks in Stearns, Kandiyohi and Lac Qui Parle counties.

There are almost 350,000 birds in the four Minnesota commercial turkey flocks that have tested positive, according to the Board of Animal Health.

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.