The country's largest turkey farm in Minnesota is being afflicted with a deadly bird flu outbreak, raising fears that the turkey supply industry of U.S. might be adversely affected.

The Stearns County is the second biggest producer of Turkey in Minnesota and is also the state's main producer of eggs and chickens. Around 39,000 turkeys in the farm are infected with H5N2 strain of Avian Influenza.

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"This is obviously a huge concern to the industry. We are very worried because of the increase turkey production in this specific area," State Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson said.

According to State Veterinarian Bill Hartmann, one of the four barns in Stearns County has been quarantined because the barn has been widely affected by the bird flu which resulted to the deaths of many turkeys.

Other farms in the two counties of western Minnesota --- Pope and Lac qui Parle --- were also affected by the bird flu.

According to authorities, the outbreak in a farm at Lac qui Parle resulted to the death of 22,000 turkeys in one just one barn. The farm owners decided to kill 44,000 birds in its other two barns to prevent the further spread of the influenza.

The bird flu outbreak raises fears of adverse economic outcome in the state. Since the detection of the outbreak, more than forty countries have banned importation of poultry products from Minnesota.

Frederickson encouraged farm owners in Stearns County to protect the poultry industry of the state.

"This industry is so important to the economy of Minnesota," he said. "It is important for all of us to continue to reassure our trading partners that our products are indeed safe."

Meanwhile, State Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger assured the public that the bird flu does not pose any threat to food security. The general public has nothing to be worried about. Farm workers who have direct contacts with the infected birds, however, will be monitored.

TagsAvian influenza, turkey farm, minnesota, Stearns County