U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed more cases of highly pathogenic avian influence on turkey farms in South Dakota and Minnesota this week.

Two separate large turkey operations in South Dakota, one of 49,700 birds in Faulk County and one of 65,000 in McPherson County, are being depopulated after the virus was detected. In Minnesota, a turkey breeder operation of 2,700 toms in Becker County and a meat bird operation of 72,100 birds in Meeker County was affected.

National and state officials continue to urge both backyard and commercial poultry owners to remain on high alert as fall wild bird migration is underway.  

Poultry producers and backyard flock owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they see any signs or symptoms in their flock:

APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit available here.