South Dakota Health Officials Warn of Bird Flu After H5N1 Detections in Beadle and Brule County Poultry Flocks
- Steve Jurrens
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - South Dakota health officials are urging medical providers and the public to be aware of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) following new detections in poultry flocks in Beadle and Brule counties, according to a statewide Health Alert Network message.
The South Dakota Department of Health (SD‑DOH) says clinicians should be alert for influenza‑like illness in anyone who has had recent exposure to sick or dead poultry or other animals. The advisory notes that people presenting with fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or conjunctivitis should be asked about animal contact within the previous 10 days.
“Highly pathogenic avian influenza A has been detected in a poultry flock in Beadle and Brule Counties,” the alert states.
SD‑DOH is asking providers to isolate symptomatic patients with relevant exposure history, use appropriate PPE, begin antiviral treatment immediately, and contact the department to arrange influenza A subtyping at the South Dakota Public Health Laboratory. Respiratory specimens — and conjunctival swabs when eye symptoms are present — should be collected for testing.
The advisory references national guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recently confirmed a human H5N1 infection in Texas linked to exposure to infected dairy cattle. The patient developed conjunctivitis, was not hospitalized, and is recovering.
“The patient reported conjunctivitis with no other symptoms, was not hospitalized, and is recovering,” according to the CDC summary.
CDC reports no evidence of human‑to‑human transmission in the United States and says the overall public risk remains low. However, people with job‑related or recreational exposure to infected birds, cattle, or other animals are considered at higher risk. They should follow recommended precautions, including wearing N95 respirators, eye protection, gloves, and practicing thorough hand hygiene.
Health officials emphasize that pasteurized milk remains safe, noting that pasteurization reliably inactivates viruses such as influenza. The FDA has no current concerns about the safety or availability of pasteurized milk products.
State health departments nationwide are asked to investigate potential human cases, test symptomatic individuals with exposure history, and notify CDC within 24 hours if a case meets criteria.
Residents are advised to avoid sick or dead animals, contaminated surfaces, and raw or unpasteurized animal products. Backyard flock owners, poultry workers, livestock producers, veterinarians, and responders are encouraged to follow PPE and biosecurity guidance.
SD‑DOH staff are available for consultation at 800‑592‑1861.
This is a developing situation. Northeast Radio SD will continue to follow updates from SD‑DOH, CDC, and USDA.
