Bird flu in Minnesota makes a fall return

 

Headline:  MPR News, 9/27/2026

Tadio Ruiz Sandoval reports:

Minnesota farmers have been fending off highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) every year since the USDA detected the ongoing outbreak in 2022. 

The disease came to Minnesota earlier this spring and was later eliminated for about a month and a half, according to Minnesota Board of Animal Health Assistant Director Shauna Voss. 

That period of time was a breath of fresh air for her and her team. 

“But we never completely just wash our hands of this and walk away,” said Voss. “We continue to prepare for the next thing.” 

The team’s break ended on Sept. 1, when HPAI was confirmed in a Wright County commercial flock of 29,800 birds. Since then, seven commercial flocks and three backyard flocks have had confirmed cases. That’s more than 260,000 birds.

Other Minnesota bird flu posts:

September 2026

Minnesota reports new cases of bird flu.  (9/25)

Early arrival of fall migration cases along Mississippi Flyway.  (9/23)

Minnesota reports another case of bird flu in turkeys.  (9/19)

Minnesota reports two cases of bird flu in turkey flocks.  (9/15)

Minnesota reports outbreak of bird flu in turkey flock.  (9/8)

January-May 2026

Two more outbreaks of bird flu reported in Minnesota.  (5/19)

Minnesota reports first case of bird flu in nearly a month.  (5/15)

Minnesota reports case of bird flu in turkey flock.  (4/23)

Minnesota bird flu dashboard.  (3/6)

Bird flu outbreaks in Minnesota.  (1/15)

2025

Minnesota reports 22nd case of avian flu in 2025.  (12/15)

Minnesota boosts its 2025 avian flu tally to 20.  (10/23)

Yet another case of avian flu confirmed in Minnesota, bringing total to 19 so far in 2025.  (10/22)

Three more Minnesota turkey flocks affected by avian flu, bringing 2025 tally to 18 .  (10/16)

Minnesota reports 55,000 cases of avian flu in 3 turkey flocks.  (9/26)

Minnesota reports avian flu in flock of tom turkeys.  (9/19)

.  (10/10)