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Protocol on turkey farms where avian flu is present
Avian flu has been confirmed in three Minnesota counties and the executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association tells Brownfield once the virus infects a flock, it’s a lengthy process before that farm is able to resume production.
Steve Olson says a USDA appraiser will establish a value for the turkeys and put together a compliance agreement and then start the depopulation process. That involves euthanizing not only the surviving birds of the infected flock, but also any other flocks that are on that farm.
He says they euthanize the birds to ensure the virus is contained. The dead birds are then composted inside the barns using two heat cycles that kills bacteria and virus. After that the building goes through a disinfectant process, then sits vacant for three to four weeks.
The first H5N2 outbreak in Minnesota was reported March 5th in Pope County, followed by Lac Qua Parle and Stearns. There have been two turkey-farm outbreaks confirmed in Missouri, one in Arkansas and one in California.
Is it possible the virus is aerosolized and is folllowing manure spreading is “taking wing” on praire spring winds? http://time.com/3763002/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-airborne-antimicrobial-resistance-cattle-yards/?xid=fbshare