Federal and state animal health officials reported more than 30 new highly pathogenic avian flu outbreaks, mostly in Midwestern states and including several at commercial farms in Minnesota, the nation's top turkey producer.

The events are part of ongoing activity involving the Eurasian H5N1 strain, which has been circulating internationally and has hit poultry in 25 states and led to the loss of about 23.7 million birds.

Outbreaks expand in Midwestern states

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (MBAH) reported 6 more outbreaks, mostly on turkey farms, raising the state's total to 21. Officials reported outbreaks in two more counties—Big Stone and Waseca—bringing the number of affected counties to nine.

As the nation's top turkey state, Minnesota farmers produce 18% of the nation's turkey supply. The MBAH put the poultry losses so far at about 1.02 million birds.

In Minnesota's neighbor to the south, the state that produces the most eggs, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported another outbreak, this time at a commercial turkey farm in Hardin County, about 80 miles northwest of Des Moines. So far, Iowa has reported 16 outbreaks, mainly involving layer and turkey farms.

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