The South Dakota Department of Health issued a warning to medical providers after two poultry farms in the state reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu.
In an advisory notice sent out by the DOH’s Division of Disease Prevention & Control on Aug. 21, State Public Health Veterinarian Nathan Wilen asked medical providers to “be alert for” influenza infections in patients who may have been exposed to animals carrying Avian Influenza A (H5N1) within 10 days of their first reported symptoms.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPAI currently presents a low health risk to the general public. There have been 71 confirmed cases of avian influenza since February 2024 and two deaths.
