Poultry producers monitor for HPAI

Minnesota poultry officials are on high alert for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza cases (H-P-A-I).

Abby Schuft, a University of Minnesota Extension educator, says the commercial industry has really been paying mind to biosecurity and preparedness since the 2015 outbreak, but what’s different this year is the number of small and backyard flocks that are being confirmed to have bird flu.

She says small flock owners have “less education” about the virus and what happens when a flock is infected.

Schuft also says some poultry owners might not even know some of the clinical signs of the avian flu virus. H-P-A-I has been confirmed in neighboring states — including Iowa, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.