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Avian flu outbreaks expected to concentrate in Upper Midwest

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is expected to concentrate in the Upper Midwest.

American Farm Bureau economist Veronica Nigh says the outbreak is following a similar pattern to 2015 with the largest impact on laying hens and turkeys.

“Unfortunately those northern states, in particular Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa stand out as being the most impacted.”

She tells Brownfield because those states stay cold longer, the window for infection is bigger.

“So it’s certainly a challenge and unfortunately I think we’ll continue to see those particular states being the most impacted. One, because of the concentration of turkeys and layers, but also because the environmental conditions make it more challenging.”

Farm Bureau is tracking avian flu detections in domesticated birds and Nigh says of the more than 200 cases so far, around 130 have been in commercial flocks.