Minnesota Records 13 Straight Days With No New Bird Flu

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota has recorded 13 straight days with no new cases of bird flu as the focus on recovery continues.

Minnesota turkey and chicken producers have lost around 9 million birds on 108 farms to the new H5N2 avian influenza virus since early March. But with the dust settling, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health says it's scaling back its updates to just a weekly email briefing every Thursday unless new flocks test positive.

The board says two Minnesota turkey farms have been restocked so far and several others are set to restock next week.

Poultry farmers who have suffered losses are now eligible for interest-free disaster loans. The Minnesota Rural Finance Authority has been given $10 million to help producers replace their flocks, make building improvements and cover lost revenues.