Minnesota Reports 2 New Presumptive Bird Flu Cases

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says two more Minnesota turkey flocks have tested presumptive for bird flu.

The farms are in Kandiyohi and Swift counties. The number of birds affected at those two farms has not yet been determined. But the new cases raise the number of affected Minnesota farms to 84.

Confirmed and presumptive outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N2 virus have now cost Minnesota turkey and chicken producers more than 5.5 million birds.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is teaming up with University of Minnesota Extension and the Farm Business Management Program in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system to begin planning for the recovery phase. They're developing a plan to help producers with cash flow issues, loan applications and connecting them with resources.

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