USDA Emergency Teams To Assist In Minnesota's Response To Bird Flu Discovered In Several Flocks
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Gov. Tim Walz has announced that the USDA is sending an emergency response team to Minnesota to try and help contain the spread of avian bird flu.
The flu has reportedly infected two commercial turkey flocks in Meeker and Stearns counties and a backyard flock in Mower County. So far, more than 300,000 birds have been impacted.
When the bird flu hit in 2015, a lot of Minnesota turkey growers were impacted. The hope this time around is to contain the spread as much as possible.
"We expect there to be more. Hopefully there is not," said Abby Schuft, poultry educator for University of Minnesota Extension.
Schuft is worried that as ducks and other birds begin to migrate to Minnesota for the warm weather months, they'll spread the bird flu to commercial flocks.
"Once a premise is confirmed to have highly pathogenic avian influenza, the whole premises has to be depopulated in order to stop the movement of the virus," said Schuft.
The flu can shut a farm down for four to six months -- hurting it economically. But a misconception that Schuft and others are trying to prevent is the notion that poultry products aren't safe to eat.
"Eggs, chicken, turkey, any other poultry products that you might enjoy are still safe to consume," said Schuft.
She said the flocks that have avian influenza don't enter the food system, and the USDA and others test food well before it makes its way to the store.
"The foods that we are consuming and being able to purchase locally through Minnesota-grown programs or at our local grocery store are always safe and free of disease," said Schuft.
Minnesota politicians have also sent out statements reiterating that poultry products are still safe to eat. Minnesota is the number-one turkey producer in the country.