Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to spread across South Dakota.

State veterinarian Beth Thompson tells Brownfield 18 commercial flocks and at 3 backyard flocks have been impacted by the virus this fall. The latest confirmed case is a commercial turkey flock in Yankton County.

“The virus is following the same track as last fall. Last fall, South Dakota had 35 flocks that had HPAI. We’re getting back up to that number.”

She says turkey and poultry producers have ramped up their biosecurity efforts, but somehow the virus is getting through.

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