Full Breakdown
Fresh H5N1 Outbreak Hits Upper Midwest Turkey Farms
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Outbreak Details
Since early September, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has recorded seven confirmed H5N1 detections in commercial turkey operations across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Idaho. The first case of the current wave was confirmed on September 1 in LaMoure County, North Dakota. Additional cases were reported on September 9 in South Dakota, affecting 61,300 turkeys in McPherson County and 43,800 in Turner County. Earlier, on August 12, five South Dakota flocks comprising roughly 284,000 birds were confirmed infected. In total, more than 417,000 turkeys have been impacted in the Upper Midwest during the fall migration period, including 92,100 birds in three Minnesota flocks and a 41,600-bird operation in North Dakota.
Background & Context
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that spreads rapidly among poultry when introduced by wild waterfowl. The virus re-emerged in the United States in February 2022 and has resurfaced each fall, coinciding with migratory movements of ducks and geese through the northern Plains. Federal policy requires the complete depopulation of any flock in which H5N1 is confirmed, regardless of clinical signs, to halt transmission and reduce viral load in the environment.
Data & Statistics
- Total birds affected (current wave): ~417,000
- Minnesota: 92,100 birds across three flocks
- North Dakota: 41,600 birds in LaMoure County
- South Dakota: 284,000 birds in five flocks (including the September 9 cases)
- Idaho: Two backyard outbreaks in Canyon and Gem counties
- U.S. turkey production: Minnesota raised 32 million turkeys in 2025, the highest of any state; the six largest producing states account for 68 % of national output.
Official Statements & Responses
- USDA/APHIS: Depopulation, disposal, cleaning and virus-elimination procedures are mandatory. The agency advises enhanced biosecurity—limiting wild-bird access, controlling farm entry, and disinfecting equipment.
- CDC: Risk to the general public remains low; human infection risk is confined to individuals with direct exposure. CDC recommends personal protective equipment, eye protection, and a 10-day symptom monitoring period for exposed workers.
- FDA: Properly cooked poultry and eggs pose no known risk of H5N1 transmission; the standard cooking temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) inactivates the virus.
Impact on Turkey Production
The outbreak coincides with the lead-up to Thanksgiving and Christmas, periods of heightened turkey demand. USDA notes that the confirmed losses represent only a small fraction of the annual national turkey supply and has not projected an immediate nationwide shortage. An updated USDA estimate of turkeys raised, expected later in September, will clarify the overall supply outlook.
What’s Next
- USDA turkey-raised estimate: Scheduled for release later in September.
- Price outlook: Large depopulations can influence retail prices after a lag of several weeks; the effect of the September cluster remains uncertain.
- Surveillance: APHIS will continue to update public tables for commercial, backyard and livestock detections, serving as the primary source for monitoring the outbreak’s progression.