Over 400,000 turkeys killed in response to SD’s bird flu outbreak; ducks identified as carriers
Fargo, ND, USA / The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO
News
Sep 22, 2025 | 4:09 AM
By: Joshua Haiar
PIERRE, S.D. (South Dakota Searchlight) – The number of turkeys killed at South Dakota farms in response to recent detections of avian influenza has risen to 419,650, continuing the state’s status as the national epicenter of this season’s outbreak.
The numbers come from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which reports bird flu detections in eight commercial South Dakota flocks and one backyard flock in the state during the last 30 days.
Meanwhile, South Dakota State Veterinarian Beth Thompson said
blue-winged teal, a species of duck, have been identified as carriers of this season’s virus. John Cooper, a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent and former state Game, Fish and Parks secretary, said it makes sense that the state would find itself combating bird flu early this year if teal are carrying it.
“Teal are traditionally our first migrators,” Cooper said.
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https://kfgo.com/2025/09/22/over-40...rd-flu-outbreak-ducks-identified-as-carriers/