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1. USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza in Meeker County, Minnesota
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Bulletin
April 8, 2015
WASHINGTON -- The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Meeker County, Minnesota. This is the ninth confirmation in a commercial flock in Minnesota. The flock of 310,000 turkeys is located within the Mississippi flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time.
Samples from the turkey flock, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings. NVSL is the only internationally recognized AI reference laboratory in the United States.
Full text:
http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/fdbe6b
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2. Michigan EHV-1: Fourth Horse Tests Positive
By Erica Larson, News Editor
TheHorse.com
April 8, 2015
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) reported April 7 that a fourth horse in that state has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The Saginaw County horse is the second to be found positive on a single quarantined farm.
On March 21, veterinarians euthanized an 8-year-old Quarter Horse gelding from Livingston County that tested positive for EHV-1 after attending a barrel racing event in Barry County in early March. A second horse from Livingston County and another from Saginaw County subsequently tested positive for the virus.
The two Saginaw County horses and the remaining Livingston County horse are under veterinary care.
Full text:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35600/michigan-ehv-1-fourth-horse-tests-positive
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3. Negative CWD tests a positive for state deer herd [IA]
By Dar Danielson
RadioIowa.com
April 8, 2015
Tests on samples from deer in special hunt earlier this year in the northeast corner of Iowa showed no new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease. DNR wildlife biologist Terry Haindfield says they focused on the area near Harpers Ferry where two wild deer had tested positive for CWD following this year's hunt.
"We were excited that all 85 samples came back not detected for CWD," Haindfield says. They had hoped volunteers would take as many as 200 more deer in the area for samples, but the weather did not cooperate. "The weather was really strange where it went form 25 below to 65 above in that short period through there. But again, we've just got to say thanks to the locals who really helped in some of those adverse conditions," Haindfield says.
Full text:
http://www.radioiowa.com/2015/04/08/negative-cwd-tests-a-positive-for-state-deer-herd/
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4. In fight against avian flu, state looks for diseased birds [MN]
Mark Steil, Minnesota Public Radio News
The Post-Bulletin
April 8, 2015
As a deadly outbreak of avian influenza continues to spread in Minnesota, the state Department of Natural Resources is trying to locate disease-carrying birds.
In Minnesota more than 300,000 turkeys have died from the disease or been killed to prevent the virus from spreading.
In their search, investigators are particularly interested in dead birds of certain species, including hawks and eagles, said Michelle Carstensen, a wildlife health program supervisor for the DNR.
"We've increased vigilance statewide, within our agency, for any reports of dead raptors or wild turkeys which could be indicators of virus in the environment," Carstensen said.
For the state's more than $800 million turkey industry, the disease is a big economic worry. The virus can kill thousands of turkeys in a few days, leaving a farmer with a devastating financial loss, said Steve Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
"If the virus comes into their flock and it wipes out their flock, they're not getting paid for that," Olson said. "They're not getting any kind of reimbursement. There's no way to insure for that. So they take the full brunt of that."
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/mvtszom
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5. As 9th MN farm confirms bird flu, Klobuchar calls for help to deal with outbreak
By Adam Uren
Rick Kupchella's BringMeTheNews
April 8, 2015
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is urging the federal government to "make all resources available" to control the spread of bird flu - as another turkey farm in the state is confirmed as having the virus.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced Wednesday a large turkey farm in Meeker County in central Minnesota has become the ninth farm in the state to have a confirmed case of the H5N2 strain of the deadly virus.
The operation has 12 barns on various sites, totaling 310,000 turkeys, bringing the total number of turkeys in Minnesota affected by the virus to roughly 683,000. The Associated Press reports that only one barn was affected, but all birds have been euthanized to prevent any spread.
Sen. Klobuchar this week met with several state officials to discuss the crisis sweeping Minnesota's turkey industry, and is expected to meet with turkey farmers later this week.
She also revealed in a news release that she had sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, asking him to ensure Minnesota's farmers are protected from the impact of the virus on their businesses.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/ojvbkgl
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6. Ontario bird flu outbreak caused by same H5N2 virus that hit B.C. in December
By Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press
The Globe and Mail
April 8, 2015
TORONTO - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the virus responsible for a bird flu outbreak in southwestern Ontario is a highly pathogenic H5N2 virus.
The virus is the same one that caused a large outbreak in British Columbia that started last December and which has been found in a number of U.S. states more recently.
CFIA vice-president Paul Mayers says Canada will notify the World Organization for Animal Health, known as the OIE.
Under international regulations, countries must notify the OIE when they have outbreaks caused by highly pathogenic bird flu viruses.
Mayers says another farm has been added to the list of quarantined operations, bringing that list to nine.
But the virus so far has only been found on one farm.
Full text: http://tinyurl.com/nspvff5
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7. Allen D. Leman Swine Conference accepting scientific abstracts
Source: Univeristy of Minnesota
National Hog Farmer
April 7, 2015
Scientific abstracts are now being accepted for poster presentations at the 2015 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference.
Anyone interested in submitting an abstract is encouraged to read the guidelines carefully. All abstracts must be submitted by July 10.
Student competition: All student abstracts that are accepted will be reviewed by three recent Science in Practice award winners, who will choose the top four abstracts based on scientific merit and originality. Those four posters will receive ribbons.
All submissions will be judged and reviewed on scientific merit with only 60 abstracts being accepted. Presenting author will be notified by August 12.
The University of Minnesota, Allen D. Leman Swine Conference is the premier swine health conference with participants attending from over 20 countries. The conference is scheduled for Sept. 19-22, 2015 at the St. Paul RiverCentre in St. Paul, MN.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/qzuuc4m
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