Bird flu starting to appear in South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- South Dakota is seeing new cases of bird flu and there will probably be more.

Already, state producers have had to destroy hundreds of thousands of turkeys and chickens because of the sickness.

The disease is carried by migratory birds.

State Veterinarian Beth Thompson says their migration has been slowed by our lingering winter weather…meaning more infections may be coming.

Thompson says it will be important for producers to practice good bio-security to avoid problems.

South Dakota poultry producers are hoping for warmer weather…and for good reason.

Warmer weather would reduce the risk of their flocks picking up bird flu.

State Veterinarian Beth Thompson.

The disease is carried by migrating waterfowl..

Those birds are on the move, so Thompson says more infections are expected.