The three most recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in North American commercial poultry flocks to be confirmed by agricultural agencies are in Minnesota, Iowa and Quebec.
Avian influenza in Minnesota
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that a commercial turkey flock in Swift County, Minnesota, was affected by HPAI. There were 45,600 birds involved, and that case was confirmed October 31.
This is the sixth case of HPAI in Swift County so far in 2022, although one of those cases involved a backyard poultry flock. The most recent case in the county was confirmed on October 25, and involved 33,800 turkeys. Swift County has had a total of 370,300 turkeys affected by HPAI this year.
Statewide, HPAI has affected 76 commercial poultry flocks and 28 backyard flocks in 2022, which led to the loss of more than 3.83 million birds. That figure does not include wild birds in the state that have been infected with HPAI.
Avian influenza in Iowa
The latest case of HPAI in Iowa involved a commercial laying hen flock in Wright County, reported the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Neither the state agency nor APHIS has yet released information concerning the size of the flock.
Prior to this, Iowa had not had a commercial poultry flock affected by HPAI since April 20 when the virus was detected in a Bremer County turkey flock. However, HPAI was found in a backyard flock in the state on October 20 – the first HPAI case involving any type of poultry since spring.
“With HPAI continuing to be a significant threat across the country, this is a difficult and stressful time for poultry farmers and egg producers,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “We have been preparing for the possibility of additional outbreaks and are working closely with USDA and producers to eradicate this disease from our state. With migration ongoing, we continue to emphasize the need for strict biosecurity on poultry farms and around backyard flocks to help prevent and limit the spread of this destructive virus.”
Avian influenza in Quebec
The presence of HPAI was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in Rouville, Quebec, on October 27, reported the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
CFIA did not disclose the size of the flock or the type of poultry involved, but that information is expected to be released at a later date by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This is the first HPAI case for Rouville in 2022.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of the global avian influenza outbreak.
