Avian influenza viruses are spread to people through direct contact with infected animals or their environments. Person-to-person spread is extremely rare. There is no food safety risk associated with this virus; the current risk is for workers at commercial farms and owners of small urban flocks and herds.
More about Avian Influenza
The CDC is currently working with other federal, state and local public health agencies to investigate and monitor a multi-state outbreak of avian influenza. The CDC reports that these 2024 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were likely spread from dairy cows to humans. For the latest updates, visit the situational summary on the CDC's website.
Protect your small flock from Avian Influenza
The following PDFs are made available by the University of Minnesota Extension.
Sick backyard flock
If a backyard flock is suspected of having Avian Influenza, please call 320-231-5170:
- A team will arrive to test the flock.
- If infected the birds will be depopulated.
- The remains will be taken away for composting.
Avian Influenza basics for urban and backyard poultry owners - UMN Extension
Hotline, reporting sick/dead birds, resources for flock owners - MDH
