Minnesota: Outbreak of unknown illness sickened about 30 workers at turkey facility in Willmar in 10/2014

[Emily]

[h=1]Jennie-O turkey plant in Willmar returns to normal, 1 worker admitted[/h] Forum News Service Posted: 10/18/2014 12:01:00 AM CDT
... Hospital officials said that 31 patients from Jennie-O had been triaged and transferred to the emergency department at Rice. All patients are stable they said, adding that the emergency staff continued to assess the patients.
Seven ambulances and the bus were dispatched to the scene, Rice officials said.
Willmar police responded to a call around 7:23 p.m. Friday of a possible chemical leak at the Jennie-O Turkey Store facility that was making employees sick, said Willmar Police Sgt. Michael Jahnke.
He said about 30 employees exhibited symptoms, like coughing and vomiting.
...
Local authorities had not found evidence of a chemical leak as of 9 p.m. and were continuing to search for the cause of the illness...

http://www.twincities.com/localnews...r-turkey-plant-evacuated-workers-are-sickened​

 

[Emily]

[h=2]Wisconsin chicken farm hit by bird flu afflicting Minnesota turkeys[/h]

• Article by: MIKE HUGHLETT , Star Tribune
• Updated: April 13, 2015 - 8:55 PM

It?s the first case in Wisconsin; three more Minnesota turkey farms have confirmed cases.
...

So far, 14 Minnesota turkey farms have been hit by the bird flu, leading to the destruction of 900,000 birds. Half of those 14 Minnesota farms are tied to Hormel, owner of the well-known Jennie-O turkey brand.
...
One other Hormel-owned farm, a massive operation with 310,000 birds in Meeker County, also has been devastated by H5N2. Hormel relies on Minnesota and Wisconsin for its turkeys. Still, the number of birds killed makes up only a small percentage of Jennie-O?s production, the company says on its website.
Minnesota annually produces about 46 million turkeys...

http://www.startribune.com/business/299580401.html​