Check below for the latest information on suspected and confirmed Avian Influenza disease alerts. As always, be vigilant in your biosecurity protocols to protect your flock and for the safety of other flocks.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has recently organized an avian influenza sample drop-off site in Waite Park - 455 28th Ave S, Waite Park, MN 56387.
The site is currently open seven days a week.
You can find additional information on the drop-off location here.
Jennie-O Turkey Store has put together a PCR sample courier to help aid in sample transportation to MPTL. Below are the courier pickup locations and schedules. Samples being picked up by the courier system MUST be accompanied with lab submission forms.
Swanville - The cooler will be on the side of Lovens Auto Center in Swanville (22 Third St., Swanville, MN 56382)
The frequency will be 7 days a week. Pickup for this location is as follows.
Melrose - The cooler will be at the Jennie-O plant guard shack in Melrose (1129 Main St. E, Melrose, MN 56352)
The frequency will be 7 days a week. Pickup for this location is as follows.
Medford - The cooler will be at the Jennie-O wash shed in Medford (305 Main St., Medford, MN 55049)
Please contact Mr. Paul Kath, Jennie-O Turkey Store, at 320-214-5929 prior to dropping samples off.
The University of Minnesota Extension poultry team has some excellent resources for poultry biosecurity. Abby Schuft, MS is an Extension Educator - Poultry is with the University of Minnesota. She can be reached at neux0012@umn.edu or 320-235-0726 x 2019.
To better understand the signs of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI), Dr. Cardona with the University of Minnesota Extension has compiled the following materials.
If you notice birds with any clinical signs of HPAI, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is an excellent resource as well.
If there are any questions or concerns about a specific disease alert, please contact your veterinarian or the MN Poultry Testing Laboratory at 320-231-5170.