Influenza infections in patients may be the result of exposure to animals carrying Avian Influenza A (H5N1)

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health issued a warning to medical providers after two poultry farms in the state reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu.

A commercial flock of 74,900 meat turkeys in Beadle County were reported August 12 and a backyard flock of 2,800 birds were reported on August 20. Euthanizing the entire affected flock is the standard practice when a detection is confirmed.

These cases add 77,700 affected birds, pushing South Dakota’s four-year outbreak total to 8.1 million birds across 144 commercial and 31 backyard flocks

In an advisory notice sent out by the DOH’s Division of Disease Prevention & Control, State Public Health Veterinarian Nathan Wilen asked medical providers to “be alert for” influenza infections in patients who may have been exposed to animals carrying Avian Influenza A (H5N1) within 10 days of their first reported symptoms.

Providers should ask patients with flu-like symptoms — fever, chills, cough or sore throat — as well as conjunctivitis (eye redness/swelling), about recent contact with sick or dead animals, the alert said.

Federal and state officials oversee the process, and the federal government reimburses farmers for their losses through indemnity payments.

Avian influenza detections rise as wild birds spread the virus during seasonal migrations, which are underway.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPAI currently presents a low health risk to the general public. There have been 71 confirmed cases of avian influenza since February 2024 and two deaths.