The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed late April 10 the presence of H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in an additional two commercial turkey flocks in South Dakota, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in that state to four.

The affected flocks are in: McCook County with 53,000 turkeys and McPherson County with 46,000 turkeys.

Samples from the turkey flocks, which experienced increased mortality, were tested at the South Dakota State University Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa confirmed the findings. APHIS is working closely with the South Dakota Board of Animal Health on a joint incident response. State officials quarantined the premises and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.