The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is confirming five recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial flocks.

Senior veterinarian, Dr. Shauna Voss says the high risk period in the state usually follows spring migration…

“Due to the amount of wild birds that are moving through. We’re essentially at the end of that and so to have five detections right at the end when we’re kind of hoping were almost in the clear for the summer was a little surprising.”

Dr. Voss says a recent case in neighboring Meeker County infected some 1.3 million chickens, and an outbreak in northwest Iowa affected more than four million birds…

“So unfortunately, we are in the thick of things as well. And working with our producers to make sure that they are aware of the situation and implementing mitigation measures to help protect their farms.”

Up-to-date information about HPAI is available on the Board of Animal Health website at; www.bah.state.mn.us.