Avian Flu Hits North and South Dakota Turkeys

Avian flu has hit turkey farms in North Dakota and South Dakota.  This is the first bird flu cases in U.S. commercial flocks since early July.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in northeast South Dakota. That meant 55,400 birds were killed to prevent the spread of the disease.

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture said this week that bird flu was confirmed in a farm right along the South Dakota border.  60,000 bird were destroyed in this case

“After a quiet summer, it’s not unexpected that we have another case of HPAI as birds are gathering to begin the fall migration,” said North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring.

The USDA also said in August that avian flu was confirmed at a live-bird market in Los Angeles County, California and in backyard birds in the state of New York.

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