Deadly Bird Flu confirmed at Second Turkey Farm in Missouri
On late Monday, the Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that avian influenza has been found at turkey farm in central Missouri's Moniteau County that has 21,000 turkeys.
On Sunday, the state stated that avian flu has been confirmed at a turkey farm in Jasper County in southwest Missouri. Concerns have been raised after the flu has been confirmed at the second turkey farm. Agriculture leaders are taking steps to stop the spread of the virus.
Tests have been carried out as per which the strain of flu in Jasper County is H5N2. The same strain has been confirmed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Minnesota. On Tuesday, agricultural officials affirmed that testing of the strain at the Moniteau County is not complete.
Wild waterfowl carries the bird flu. Missouri Department of Agriculture director Richard Fordyce affirmed that human infections due to the same are probably not possible. For now, there is no known human case of avian flu and also, there is no threat to the food supply.
Iowa State University's Agricultural Marketing Resource Center said that there could be a potential economic impact if other countries levy ban on the import of turkeys from Missouri. It is the fourth ranked state for turkey production in the nation.
Fears have been raised, as it has happened earlier this month when over 40 countries banned poultry imports from Minnesota after the H5N2 strain was found there. Minnesota is the largest producer of turkeys in the nation.
Missouri regulators and farmers are taking the situation quite seriously and taking extra preventive measures to stop the diseases. Authorities concerned affirmed that all the remaining turkeys at both facilities will be killed. Turkeys at farms within 6.2 miles of where the flu was found are being investigated.