USDA emergency team activated to respond to bird flu in Minnesota
(ABC 6 News) – Governor Walz announced Monday that an emergency response team from the United States Department of Agriculture has been activated to "support the state’s disease control and containment efforts of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)."
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The team will work alongside animal health officials and producers to respond to the incident, including quarantining the infected flocks, supporting infected-site response activities, engaging in disease surveillance, and coordinating state and federal logistics and finances.
The USDA team will arrive on Wednesday and will be deployed for at least three weeks.
Minnesota is ranked #1 in turkey production in the nation. Minnesota has more than 660 turkey farms that raise about 40 million birds annually, more than any other state. Turkey production generates $774 million in cash receipts annually, and in 2020, Minnesota exported about 15% of its production, worth approximately $114 million.
More information on the confirmed cases, including information and resources for farmers and flock owners, can be found on the Board of Animal Health’s response website.