The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed large commercial turkey operations in both South Dakota and North Dakota have contracted highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the first commercial cases in a long time for both states. Minnesota has reported its first commercial case since July, and Utah has also reported another large turkey operation with the virus, the second for the state in a couple weeks. Tennessee also announced Nov. 27 a suspected case in a commercial chicken operation in Gibson County, although final confirmation has not been received.

The turkey operation of 55,200 birds in Ranson County, North Dakota is the first case for the state since Nov. 28, 2023. However, a very small backyard poultry operation in McHenry County had detected the virus within the past couple weeks.

In South Dakota, two large turkey operations of 56,400 and 42,500 birds are being depopulated in Faulk County and Beadle County, respectively. These are the first commercial cases for the state since mid-March.

Utah also continues to log cases of the virus, announcing the fifth large operation in just over a month. The latest operation was a turkey operation of 51,800 birds in Sanpete County. Just over 2 million birds have been depopulated in the state since mid-October.

Most concerning is the discovery of the virus in a Minnesota turkey operation of 29,900 birds as Minnesota is the largest turkey production state in the U.S., raising 40-42 million birds annually.

The increasing number of cases nationwide comes as wild birds migrate south. Producers should practice strict biosecurity to protect their flocks. APHIS recommends anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. Visit APHIS’ Defend the Flock Resource Center for materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit.

Since the initial onset of the current HPAI outbreak in the U.S., a total of 111.4 million birds have been affected, the APHIS website shows.