SAINT PAUL, MINN. — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on Oct. 11 in a commercial turkey flock in Meeker County, Minn., the state’s first case since last spring.

The US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, located in Ames, Iowa, confirmed that the samples from the flock were positive.

The site is currently under quarantine, and the birds on the premises were depopulated to prevent the disease from spreading. The number of birds affected totaled 140,000.

“Unfortunately, HPAI seems to keep popping up during the seasonal migrations in Minnesota,” said State Veterinarian Brian Hoefs. “Before today’s detection our most recent cases were in the spring of this year. Anyone who has poultry should take this detection as a clear sign to keep a close eye on their flock and initiate your strongest biosecurity practices.”

Earlier this month, the first commercial case of HPAI in the United States since April was reported. A flock of 47,300 turkeys in Jerauld County, SD, was affected.

Shortly after that commercial flock tested positive, two flocks in Utah also became infected. Over 140,000 birds were affected by the virus at two turkey farms in Sanpete County.