St. Paul, MN (AgNews890.com) – MN Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he has asked the USDA for their Emergency Response Team to help in the state’s fight to control and contain the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has now confirmed in three poultry flocks in Minnesota. The latest flock added was Stearns County.

Gov. Walz says, “Armed with years of preparation for this incident, our state’s Agricultural Incident Management Team is working quickly and decisively to respond to the cases of H5N1 in Minnesota.” “Within hours of the first confirmed cases, our Board of Animal Health requested emergency support from the USDA. These federal partners will bring targeted expertise to contain this virus and ensure that our state’s poultry industry remains the strongest in the nation.”

The USDA team will arrive on Wednesday and will be deployed for at least three weeks.

H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in poultry flocks in Meeker, Mower, and Stearns counties. More information on the confirmed cases, including information and resources for farmers and flock owners, can be found on the Board of Animal Health’s response website.