Minnesota poultry producers remain on high alert as highly pathogenic avian influenza gets closer. As of Friday, there haven’t been any confirmed cases in the state. Minnesota Board of Animal Health Assistant Director Dr. Dale Lauer says that includes commercial and non-commercial flocks. “As we watch the movement of this virus through different states, we’re fortunate at this point, but time will tell.” Lauer says it’s not a matter of if, but it’s when avian influenza hits Minnesota this spring. The State Board of Animal Health is testing flocks constantly. Last week was the seven-year anniversary of Minnesota’s last big big avian influenza outbreak. Lauer says the state’s learned a lot about responding to the virus since 2015. “This time around, we have a renovated laboratory to do testing in two different locations, there’s a lot of depopulation equipment and veterinarians are on high alert. Biosecurity is ramped up and if we can keep the disease out, we don’t have to worry about depopulation of those carcasses.”
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