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No new cases of avian flu in Minnesota

 

For the first time in weeks, no new cases of avian flu were reported in Minnesota Wednesday.

Dr. Bill Hartmann, executive director of the state Board of Animal Health says he’s hoping it’s the start of a trend.

“We currently have 82 affected farms in 21 counties with over five and a half million birds involved.”

There has been at least one newly-infected flock in Minnesota every day since April 15^th.

To maintain some form of continuity in the state’s poultry industry, Hartmann says permits are being issued.

“We continue to permit poultry and poultry products going into, within and out of the control zone.  We’ve issued over 1,600 permits to date.”

Hartmann says warmer weather should slow the spread of the virus and reminds consumers that poultry is safe to eat and that the outbreak is not a public health risk.