Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 4/15/15

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County, Iowa — the first in that state.

The flock of 27,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected.

State officials quarantined the premises, and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

Meanwhile, an additional eight commercial turkey flocks in Minnesota have been found to be contaminated with the H5N2 virus. That brings to 22 the total number of flocks affected in that state.

The affected flocks are in:
• Kandiyohi County – 30,000 turkeys (fourth detection in the county)
• La Sueur County – 21,500 turkeys (first detection in the county)
• Meeker County – 25,000 turkeys (second detection in the county)
• Meeker County – 20,000 turkeys (third detection in the county)
• Stearns County – 76,000 turkeys (fifth detection in the county)
• Swift County – 160,000 turkeys (first detection in the county)
• Swift County – 154,000 turkeys (second detection in the county)
• Redwood County – 56,000 turkeys (first detection in the county)

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