Bird flu found in flock of nearly 30,000 turkeys found in Otter Tail County

WILLMAR, Minn. (KVRR) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has confirmed a second commercial operation in Otter Tail County to have contracted bird flu.

The bird flu was confirmed in a flock with more than 29,000 turkeys.

The first one was reported back in mid-September, with more than 16,000, and another flock of more than 20,000 in Becker County.

The first bird flu case in the nation appeared about three years ago.

It’s most commonly found during migration season, both in the fall and spring.

“The disease progresses very rapidly. Such that, sometimes you might not even see that a bird is sick, you will only just find them dead the following morning. It can be very, very serious, especially in commercial operations where it can go through a flock very quickly, potentially,” said Dr. Jake Galbreath, Extension Veterinarian and Livestock Stewardship Specialist at NDSU.

Galbreath recommends operators connect with their local veterinarians or the State Board of Animal Health if they have any concerns.