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Avian Influenza returns early to South Dakota; turkey flocks hit

The state veterinarian in South Dakota says Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has returned early this fall.

Beth Thompson says it’s likely caused by several factors.

“We’ve seen a number of the teal ducks that are coming back non-negative. There’s also lots of rain this year with more potholes and slews, places where those migratory birds are landing, and we’re moving into harvest.”

She says learning from past outbreaks is important.

“There’s a USDA Veterinary Services team in South Dakota right now. I’m hoping we’ll get a little bit of epidemiological work done that will help us understand some of the differences we see from farm-to-farm, maybe county-to-county. For example: what types of barns are sitting on these sites?”

South Dakota has had at least 10 confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza this fall, most of those commercial turkey flocks.