A newly released study shows avian metapneumovirus caused more damage to Minnesota’s turkey industry in 2024 than the high-profile avian influenza outbreak. “Nearly double the amount of birds were lost to avian metapneumovirus than there were to highly pathogenic avian influenza,” said Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Ashley Kohls. Kohls said the disease doesn’t qualify for the same government response as avian influenza. “There are some indemnity types of programs to help kind of bridge the gaps of when they have to depopulate a flock to when they can put in another flock, that doesn’t exist with avian metapneumovirus.” The industry lost an estimated $112 million last year, and Kohls said short-term support is needed until vaccines become widely available.
