Meeker County has now become the host to the ninth confirmed infection of a commercial turkey flock in Minnesota by the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza. This time it has happened in a Jennie-O-Turkey Store-owned facility.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health, on Wednesday, announced that the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the infection in a commercial turkey flock of 310,000 turkeys in Meeker County.

On Jennie-O-Turkey Store's website, it has reported that the website is the first company-owned facility to test positive for the virus.

The recent cases that have got confirmation involved flocks owned or processed by Jennie-O-Turkey Store. But they were raised by contract and or by independent growers.

On Wednesday, when the Meeker County infection got investigated, Minnesota and federal officials met to discuss the steps needed to be taken to stop the flu's spread and its impact on state turkey producers.

U. S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said that Minnesota is leading in the nation in turkey production and thus every possible measure should be taken to keep this critical industry strong.

Klobuchar added, "The avian flu does not threaten our food supply or pose any risks to humans, but there are still serious animal health and export implications for Minnesota turkey growers".

On Wednesday, Klobuchar met with Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and other state and federal officials to discuss the measures.

Klobuchar even sent a letter to US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. She encouraged Vilsack that the US Department of Agriculture's policy of paying farmers who are forced to kill birds to keep the flu from spreading should continue, even if the present fund runs out and emergency funds are needed.