The deadly H5N2 strain of avian influenza has wiped out a
flock of 15,000 turkeys in Pope County, Minnesota.
Officials believe it was introduced by wildfowl flying the
Mississippi migration route.
It’s the same strain that has infected a number of
commercial and backyard flocks along the Western flyway over British Columbia,
Oregon, Washington and California.
Minnesota’s turkey industry is on high biosecurity alert
now.
The state is the leading turkey producer raising about 46
million birds that sell for about $750 million per year.
