We still need to be mindful of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza because it can cause great losses to poultry farms and continues to re-emerge during seasonal migrations in Minnesota.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed 11 times this October 2023. The cases have been in Becker (2), Brown (1), Blue Earth (2), Meeker (3), Pine (1), Kandiyohi (1), and Redwood (1) counties. The most recent cases were confirmed as recently as Oct. 25.
“Unfortunately, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza seems to keep popping up during the seasonal migrations in Minnesota,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Hoefs. “Before today’s (Oct. 11), detection our most recent cases were in the spring of this year. Anyone who has poultry should take this detection as a clear sign to keep a close eye on their flock and initiate your strongest bio-
security practices.”
Poultry producers and backyard flock owners should contact their veterinarian immediately, or the Minnesota Board of Animal Health at (833) 454-0156, if they see any of these signs in their flock:
• Decrease in feed or water intake.
• Swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, wattle, and hocks.
• Decrease in egg production.
• Sudden, unexplained death.
• Extreme depression.
• Very quiet.
• Difficulty breathing.
Remember, poultry is safe to eat, and proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is always advised.
Biosecurity is extremely important to stopping the spread of this and other viruses and disease.
Risk is usually caused by direct or indirect contact with virus–contaminated people, equipment, and wild birds. All flock owners should review their bio-
security measures to maintain the health of their birds. The University of Minnesota Extension maintains biosecurity resources for commercial and backyard flocks at https://z.umn.edu/HPAIbiosecurity. Using bird feeders is okay! Songbirds still are not known to be reservoirs of avian influenza.
Something that might be of interest is the fact that there are 205 known cases of mammals contracting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, likely from eating infected birds. All these mammals have been wild animals. Minnesota has had 11 mammal cases reported, including nine red fox, one skunk, and one black bear (as of October 2023). These are significant new findings that did not occur in the 2015 outbreak.
These are the general guidelines for reporting suspected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza:
• Report sick or unusually high deaths of flocks to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
• Report dead waterfowl to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (five or more birds in one place) at (888) 646-6367.
• Report injured or sick raptors to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at (612) 624-4745.
• Report sick or dead domestic or wild birds to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health by calling the Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline at (833) 454-0156 or submitting a report online. They ensure that the appropriate agency responds.
• If you are a veterinarian and receive reports of clinical signs of avian influenza, call the Minnesota Avian Influenza Hotline at (833) 454-0156 or submit a sick bird report online. If it is after hours or on the weekend, call the Minnesota Duty Officer at (800) 422-0798.