SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- South Dakota’s budding dairy industry is dealing with highly-pathogenic avian influenze…known as bird flu.

A herd has tested positive for the virus, making South Dakota the eighth state with dairy herds testing positive.

Lucas Sjostrom (SHOW-strum), the head of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association says dairy farmers are working to deal with the problem.

The USDA is emphasizing that the milk supply is safe, because pasteurization kills the virus.

Infected dairy cows will typically go off feed and produce less milk, but normally return to production.

Still, South Dakota State Veterinarian Beth Thompson says it’s concerning to see the virus spread to new species.

The USDA is emphasizing that the milk supply is safe, because pasteurization kills the virus.