Deadly bird flu returns to Midwest earlier than expected

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bird flu has returned to the Midwest earlier than authorities expected after a lull of several months. Officials say the highly pathogenic disease was detected in a commercial turkey flock in western Minnesota’s Meeker County after the farm reported an increase in mortality last weekend. Tests confirmed the disease Tuesday evening (Aug. 30, 2022). The flock has been euthanized to stop the spread. It is the first detection of avian influenza in Minnesota since May 31, and the first in the Midwest since an infection in Indiana on June 9, 2022. However, there have been several in western states in July and August, plus a few in some eastern states.