Bird flu kills 80% of Utah mink herd; nearly 1 million Illinois chickens culled
The gist
Bird flu killed 80% of a Utah mink farm's herd while officials declined to cull or test workers.
Experts warn uncontrolled spread in mammals raises human-pandemic risk.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2022A nationwide bird flu epidemic is first detected in the U.S.
- Aug 17, 2026HPAI is detected by PCR in captive American mink in Salt Lake County, Utah — the first documented HPAI outbreak on a mink farm in the Americas.
- Sep 27, 2026The Salt Lake Tribune reports bird flu is killing 80% of the herd at the Utah mink farm, with state agriculture officials having no clear plan.