Just about 1 million chickens in Minnesota have gotten smaller the fowl flu in a single flock there, the U.S. Division of Agriculture reported this week and underneath federal tips, can be killed as a way to save you the illness from spreading.The highly-contagious avian influenza virus was once basically discovered at a farm in Wright County, positioned within the east central a part of the state, simply northwest of Minneapolis, in keeping with statistics posted at the USDA site and a file from the Related Press.Every time the fowl flu is detected in a flock, it will have to be destroyed to forestall the illness from spreading, in keeping with USDA reality sheet.As of Tuesday, 1,302,450 birds within the state had been inflamed with the virus that has killed masses of 1000’s of home and wild birds internationally, in keeping with knowledge from the USDA and the state’s Division of Herbal Assets. The virus could cause gentle to serious sickness in folks.In keeping with the USDA, the virus was once additionally present in flocks in two of Minnesota’s 4 neighboring states of Iowa (162,550 birds) and South Dakota (300,800 birds).The federal company additionally mentioned 26,800 turkeys are slated to be slaughtered at a McPherson County farm in South Dakota, the AP reported, and just below 17,000 birds are set to be killed on two farms in Iowa’s Clay County.A USDA spokesperson may just now not straight away be reached for remark Wednesday.What’s the fowl flu? The fowl flu, is illness brought about via a circle of relatives of flu viruses basically transmitted between birds.Avian influenza viruses, in keeping with the CDC and USDA, are labeled into two teams: Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) (steadily observed in wild birds) and Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (discovered most commonly in home poultry). In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Keep watch over, LPAI viruses motive gentle or no illness and HPAI motive serious illness and prime mortality charges in inflamed birds.The fowl flu has price the federal government kind of $660 million and lately raised the cost of eggs and poultry. No less than 58 million birds had been slaughtered this 12 months to restrict the unfold of the virus.Fowl flu showed in Antarctic area:First instances of fowl flu showed greater than 1,000 miles from South AmericaWhat are indicators of fowl flu?Indications a fowl could also be inflamed with avian influenza come with:Lack of urge for food, lethargySudden demise with out prior symptomsEyelid swellingTwisting of the pinnacle and neckPurple discoloration to frame portions together with waddle and legsStumbling and fallingDiarrheaDifficulty breathingNasal dischargeBird flu signs in humansBird flu infections in people are uncommon in keeping with the CDC.The primary case of avian influenza in an individual in america was once reported in Colorado in April 2022.As of Wednesday, in keeping with CDC stats, most effective 4 human infections with LPAI viruses were recognized in america – and all 4 folks suffered mild-to-moderate sickness.Human an infection with the fowl flu can occur all over shut touch with inflamed birds or when folks contact unwell birds or their saliva, mucus and feces, the CDC mentioned. Other folks contract the virus when it will get right into a their eyes, nostril or mouth, or when it’s inhaled.Those that contract the virus steadily revel in gentle diseases together with an eye fixed an infection and higher breathing signs or no signs in any respect, whilst others can increase a serious every now and then deadly illness like pneumonia.Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Succeed in her at nalund@usatoday.com and observe her on X @nataliealund.