By Scout Nelson
Minnesota has confirmed its first detection of H5N1 avian influenza in poultry since April, involving a commercial turkey flock in Redwood County. Officials report that about 20,000 turkeys are affected. The detection follows recent H5N1 outbreaks in South Dakota and North Dakota earlier this month, showing the virus remains active in the region.
“Health officials and industry have been working hard over the summer to eliminate the virus from quarantined sites so the state could officially declare freedom of the disease on Aug. 25, 2025,” the Minnesota Board of Health said in a press release. “This detection resets Minnesota’s response teams and will draw responders back into the fight against avian influenza this fall.”
State leaders note that the detection is not surprising as the fall migration season for wild waterfowl brings increased risk of virus spread. Response teams will now focus on controlling the outbreak, protecting surrounding flocks, and monitoring wild bird activity to reduce further transmission.
Alongside the poultry case, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported 15 new H5N1 detections in wild birds during August and September.
Most of these cases were found in vultures, with additional cases among waterfowl and other birds of prey. These infected wild birds were located across regions from Alaska to the Midwest and the East Coast.
The USDA also confirmed one more H5 detection in wildlife, involving a raccoon in Rice County, Minnesota. This sample was collected in June and adds to ongoing concerns about the virus affecting mammals as well as birds.
Officials encourage continued vigilance as the fall season progresses, reminding poultry producers and residents to follow biosecurity measures. With migratory birds moving through the state, Minnesota’s monitoring and rapid response remains critical to managing the spread of avian influenza.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-wikoski
Categories: Minnesota, Livestock, Poultry