The highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza has been found in a commercial turkey farm in Minnesota. The flock is located in Stearns County, which is one of the state’s top producers for turkeys, chickens and eggs.

This farm, which contains 30,000 birds, is the third turkey farm to be infected in the state, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. State Veterinarian Bill Hartmann said one of the four barns at the Stearns County farm was infected and that many turkeys in it had already died. As is standard procedure, the farm has been quarantined and the remaining birds will be killed.

"This is obviously a huge concern to the industry. We are very worried because of the increased turkey production in this specific area," state Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson said.

The announcement came one day after authorities announced the outbreak at the Lac qui Parle County farm, where the virus quickly killed 22,000 turkeys in one barn. That farm had to kill 44,000 birds in two other barns.

More than 40 countries have banned poultry imports from Minnesota since the virus was first detected in the state.

Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune