It’s the fourth Minnesota flock to be hit with the H2N2
strain of avian influenza this year, and the first in South Dakota.
Both are located on flyways for migrating waterfowl which
are blamed for introducing the flu to commercial flocks.
The outbreaks mean the United States will continue to face
trading bans imposed by 40 nations. Canada bans trade only from the states
where flocks have been hit.
All of the birds in the infected flocks are sacrificed, the
farms are put under strict quarantine and must undergo a vigorous cleanup and
disinfection before they can resume production.
British Columbia’s commercial poultry industry in the Fraser
Valley has been hit by the same avian influenza, losing 11 flocks and costing
all of Canada losses in overseas markets, including breeding stock from Hybrid
Turkeys of Kitchener and Shaver Poultry Breeding Farms of Cambridge, Ont.
