H5N1 Reappears on Midwest Poultry Farms, Hits Turkey Operations

H5N1 avian influenza has returned to commercial poultry farms in the United States, following a period of lower activity during the summer. Recent outbreaks have mainly affected turkey operations in Minnesota and the Dakotas.

The United States Department of Agriculture says four poultry facilities reported outbreaks in the past week, including three commercial turkey and duck operations. Two turkey farms in Stearns County, Minnesota, were affected, with about 77,200 and 31,200 birds involved.

A commercial duck breeding operation in Indiana, involving 24,300 birds, and a backyard flock of 140 birds in Iowa were also affected.

Over the past 30 days, 14 commercial and seven backyard flocks have confirmed H5N1, affecting about 620,000 birds. Officials have also recorded increased detections among wild birds as seasonal migration continues.