South Dakota reports 2 more cases of bird flu, bringing 4-year carnage tally to 8.1 million

 

Headline:  South Dakota Searchlight, 8/21/2026

Makenzie Huber reports:

Bird flu has returned to South Dakota, with federal officials confirming detections in two flocks this month after nearly a month without U.S. cases. 

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus — H5N1, a strain that spreads quickly and kills birds rapidly — struck a flock of 74,900 commercial meat turkeys in Beadle County on Aug. 12 and a backyard flock of 2,800 birds in Brule County on Thursday. Euthanizing the entire affected flock is the standard practice when a detection is confirmed.

Related posts:

2026

South Dakota reports bird flu outbreak in turkey flock.  (8/14)

South Dakota report new cases of bird flu.  (4/16)

2 bird flu cases in South Dakota bring U.S. 2022-2026 tally to 1,001 flocks.  (4/4/)

Bird flu cases reported in South Dakota.  (2/27)

Bird flu reported in South Dakota.  (2/6)

Geese dying to bird flu in South Dakota.  (1/1)

2025

Turkey flocks in South Dakota hit with avian flu.  (12/12)

South Dakota reports 17th case of avian flu in 2025.  (11/23)

More turkey flocks infected with avian flu in South Dakota.  (11/5)

South Dakota continues to be hit hard by avian flu.  (9/21)

South Dakota reports additional cases of avian flu in turkey flocks.  (9/14)

Must be Kristi Noem's bad karma and her Corey Lewandowski hook-up:  South Dakota is ground zero for avian flu so far this fall.  (9/10)