Why are bird flu cases rising in Minnesota?

Bird flu cases are on the rise nationwide. Minnesota alone has seen an outbreak affecting nearly 600,000 birds in commercial farm flocks — most of them within the past month.

That’s because bird flu often spikes during fall wild bird migration, according to Shauna Foss, associate director of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

“(The birds) are moving,” Voss said. “They bring the virus with them, a new virus that may not have been in the state over the summer, and sometimes that virus finds its way into our barns.”

Voss oversees the board’s poultry programs. She said bird flu is highly contagious. Once the disease is detected in a flock, bird death is certain.

Bird flu has killed 7 million commercially farmed turkeys and chickens across the country so far.

“It’s an unfortunate situation for these birds to be in,” Voss said.

What does containment look like?

In 2023, State producers culled nearly a million infected birds From the Wright County herd.

More birds will have to be euthanized this year to contain the spread of the disease, Voss said.

“The longer we allow an infected bird to stay there, the more likely it is to spread from bird to bird and from farm to farm,” Voss said. “So, unfortunately, evacuating those herds is the best way to prevent farms in nearby areas from becoming infected.”

The federal government conditionally agreed to a Bird flu vaccine in February To combat disease.

However, the United States has often avoided vaccine sponsorship due to… Ongoing trade agreements with countries that reject vaccinated birds.

“Until these trade agreements are renegotiated, we are not allowed (to vaccinate),” Vos said. “We need to stick to our agreements with our other countries.”

Earlier this year, The Trump administration canceled nearly $700 million in funding for ModernaWhich was working on developing a vaccine for bird flu. The Biden administration had previously approved the funding.

How to prevent the spread of influenza

Vos said her team continues to monitor the trajectory of bird flu. But they need help from farmers.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health’s website states that if a poultry producer notices unexplained deaths or illness among its flock, it is essential to notify animal health officials or a trusted veterinarian.

“We continue to work with our producers to maintain good biosecurity,” Vos said. “Biosecurity remains the main line of defense to help prevent infection.”

Affected producers can report sick flocks to the Minnesota Avian Flu Hotline at 1-833-454-0156.