H5N1 Avian Flu Detected in South Dakota Birds, Raising Outbreak Total to 8.1 Million
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, H5N1, has re-emerged in South Dakota, affecting 77,700 birds across two flocks this month. Specifically, a commercial meat turkey flock of 74,900 birds in Beadle County was struck on August 12, followed by a backyard flock of 2,800 birds in Brule County on August 20. This brings South Dakota's total bird count affected by the H5N1 outbreak to 8.1 million since the national outbreak began in 2022, spanning 144 commercial and 31 backyard flocks. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tracks these detections nationwide. Standard practice dictates euthanizing entire affected flocks to prevent further spread. Federal officials also confirmed the virus in two Idaho backyard flocks of 10 and 50 birds on the same day. The South Dakota Department of Health issued an alert on August 21 for potential human infections, advising healthcare providers to inquire about contact with sick or dead animals in patients presenting ... 
