Doug Goehring Agriculture Commissioner | North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Doug Goehring Agriculture Commissioner | North Dakota Department of Agriculture
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock located in Dickey County. The diagnosis was made by the South Dakota State University Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory on August 30.
State officials, including the State Board of Animal Health and USDA-APHIS, are collaborating with local authorities to manage the situation. The affected premises have been quarantined, and the entire flock has been culled to contain the outbreak. Officials are also monitoring domestic birds within a 10-kilometer control zone surrounding the site. No birds from this flock will enter the food supply.
As a result of this detection, all poultry or bird commingling events in Dickey County are suspended. This restriction will be automatically lifted after 30 days if no new cases arise.
Authorities say there is no immediate public health threat linked to this finding. According to officials, HPAI poses minimal risk to humans and cases among people remain extremely rare; none have been detected in North Dakota.
“The HPAI virus continues to circulate in wild birds. Waterfowl continue to be the primary concern, but any wild birds can potentially spread the virus,” State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said. “Remember to restrict access to property, keep wild birds away from other birds and practice enhanced biosecurity. Birds should be kept indoors, especially during the spring and fall migration.”
“After a quiet summer, it’s not unexpected that we have another case of HPAI as birds are gathering to begin the fall migration,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Protecting our North Dakota producers, who raise approximately 1 million commercial birds annually, and our many backyard bird owners is high priority.”
Avian influenza is common among wild bird populations and spreads through contact with infected animals or contaminated food and water sources.
Additional information about avian influenza can be found at www.ndda.nd.gov/avian-influenza and through USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov. Updates on future HPAI detections in North Dakota will be posted at www.ndda.nd.gov/hpai.
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