Bird ‘Flu Outbreak Infects Almost A Million Turkeys

VOCATIVE 

A turkey flock in Kingsbury County, South Dakota is the 11th confirmed case of the H5N2 avian influenza virus (bird ‘flu) in an outbreak spanning two states. The infection, which affected 34,000 turkeys, was confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture and has been categorized as “highly pathogenic.” The outbreak has hit 11 properties and affected more than 725,000 birds since the end of March.

Dr. Henry L. Niman, founder and president of Recombinomics, has been maintaining an up-to-date interactive Google Map which tracks confirmed cases of the H5N2 virus within the US. According to the map, there have been 26 total confirmed cases since 2014. A statewide outbreak in Minnesota or South Dakota could have an impact on the Thanksgiving turkey flock, but with Minessota alone producing 45 million turkeys a year, the outbreak still represents a drop in a giant turkey-flavored ocean. The most recently confirmed case affected a commercial turkey flock of 310,000 in Meeker County, Minnesota. The farm, owned by Jennie-O-Turkey but operated by independent farmers, was the first company-owned facility to test positive for the virus.

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