USDA H5N1 Financial Support Request Form

According to the CDC, human infections with avian influenza A viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth or is inhaled. Raw milk from infected cattle can carry the virus and make people sick. People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked foods, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw milk products, from animals with suspected or confirmed Avian Influenza A (H5N1) infection.

Will I get sick if I drink raw milk from cows infected with the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus?

According to the CDC, human infections with avian influenza A viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth or is inhaled. Raw milk from infected cattle can carry the virus and make people sick. People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked foods, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or raw milk products, from animals with suspected or confirmed Avian Influenza A (H5N1) infection.

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Distribution

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is native to East Asia and was discovered in North America in 2002, though it may have been introduced as early as 1990 in solid wood packing material from Asia. Emerald ash borer has spread rapidly across the eastern United States due to the long-distance movement of infested ash firewood, nursery stock and other ash materials, as well as short distance natural flight. Emerald ash borer was found for the first time in Minnesota in 2009.
 
EAB is a serious invasive tree pest, and consequently a quarantine has been placed to help slow its spread to other areas. For information on EAB distribution and quarantine boundaries, refer to the MDA's EAB status map.   
 
Don't move firewood graphic
Where is EAB in Minnesota?
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is native to East Asia and was discovered in North America in 2002, though it may have been introduced as early as 1990 in solid wood packing material from Asia. Emerald ash borer has spread rapidly across the eastern United States due to the long-distance movement of infested ash firewood, nursery stock and other ash materials, as well as short distance natural flight. Emerald ash borer was found for the first time in Minnesota in 2009.
 
EAB is a serious invasive tree pest, and consequently a quarantine has been placed to help slow its spread to other areas. For information on EAB distribution and quarantine boundaries, refer to the MDA's EAB status map.   
 
Don't move firewood graphic
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Emerald ash borer (EAB) is native to East Asia and was discovered in North America in 2002, though it may have been introduced as early as 1990 in solid wood packing material from Asia. Emerald ash borer has spread rapidly across the eastern United States due to the long-distance movement of infested ash firewood, nursery stock and other ash materials, as well as short distance natural flight. Emerald ash borer was found for the first time in Minnesota in 2009.
 
EAB is a serious invasive tree pest, and consequently a quarantine has been placed to help slow its spread to other areas. For information on EAB distribution and quarantine boundaries, refer to the MDA's EAB status map.   
 
Don't move firewood graphic

Biology

In Minnesota, EAB completes one generation every 1 to 2 years. Eggs are laid from mid-June through August. Female EAB deposit their eggs individually on ash trees between layers of outer bark in cracks and crevices of the branches and trunk of the tree. The eggs typically hatch within two weeks, depending on temperature. Ash trees are killed by the tunneling of EAB larvae under the tree's bark.

For a better understanding of the EAB life cycle, watch the video Cycle of Destruction.

Emerald ash borer flight season begins May 1st

Minnesota Department of Agriculture considers May 1st - September 30th to be the flight season for EAB. This means that EAB adult beetles are emerging from infested trees or wood and flying in search of new hosts during this time. Emerald ash borer larvae complete their development by pupating into adult beetles in the spring and early summer. However, this process only occurs when temperatures are sufficiently warm and requires a certain amount of accumulated heat - i.e., development time. Accumulated heat can be measured and tracked using degree day models, which measures time spent above a specific temperature threshold. 

For EAB, a base temperature of 50º F is used. The following are estimated thresholds of EAB development and activity:

  • 450 degree days = First EAB adults begin to emerge
  • 900-1100 degree days = Peak EAB adult activity
  • Current base 50º F degree day accumulations for Minnesota are available from the US degree-day mapping calculator.

Identification

  • Adults are small, metallic green wood boring beetles about 3/8 to 1/2 inch long and 1/8 inch wide. 
  • Emerald ash borer larvae are cream-colored, with bell-shaped body segments. The larvae have two spine like projections at the end of their body, called urogomphi, which are a defining characteristic. Their size varies as they feed and grow beneath the ash tree's bark. The larvae create serpentine, or "S" shaped, galleries under the bark, which are a definitive sign of EAB when found in ash trees.
  • Emerald ash borer eggs and pupae are not commonly seen and are difficult to identify.
 
EAB "S" shaped larval tunneling
Emerald Ash Borer "S" shaped larval tunneling

 

Picture of EAB larva
Emerald ash borer larva

 

Picture of EAB adult beetle on quarter
Emerald ash borer adult beetle

There are many insects in Minnesota that can be mistaken for EAB due to their size, shape or metallic green color. Identification can be difficult if the insect is not found associated with its ash tree host. For more information, refer to the Insects Commonly Confused with EAB reference sheet.