Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 4/15/15

As Minnesota becomes what might be considered the epicenter of the continuing U.S. avian influenza outbreak, at least two experts believe that it's likely there will be even more outbreaks in the coming months.

With eight more commercial turkey farms in Minnesota infected — and the first report of an outbreak in Iowa — Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota told the Minneapolis Star Tribune the issue “is clearly a major epidemic.” Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the school, also called the outbreaks “unprecedented” among U.S. poultry farms. Of the 43 U.S. poultry farms reporting bird flu outbreaks, more than half — 22 — are in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the chief veterinarian for the Minnesota Animal Health Board also told the Star Tribune that his office expects to see more flocks affected throughout the spring season. Animal health experts added that warmer weather could slow the spread since the virus flourishes in cold and damp weather, the paper reported.

The spread of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) is also threatening the jerk chicken supply in Jamaica, according to the Customs Today website. The Veterinary Services Division of Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture has banned poultry and poultry products from specific areas of the Unites States in the wake of the HPAI outbreaks. The ban includes imports from Arkansas, California, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon and Washington state, and also includes parts of British Columbia, Canada.

Local poultry producers in Jamaica also are warning consumers to be prepared for a shortage of poultry meat as a result of the ban.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.