Over 400,000 turkeys have been killed in South Dakota, and the culling was blamed on bird flu. South Dakota State Veterinarian Beth Thompson said blue-winged teal, a species of duck, has been identified as carriers of this season’s virus HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza).

Detections this early in the fall season are troubling, according to Thompson. The peak avian influenza seasons typically happen later during the fall and spring migration of wild birds, which can carry the virus without becoming sick.

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The bird flu depopulation process is federally mandated and involves killing all birds at affected sites to prevent the virus from spreading to nearby farms. Thompson said “foaming” is the most common method in turkey barns, where foam is sprayed atop turkeys inside the barn to suffocate them. The process is not “humane” by any stretch of the imagination, and the process of culling has failed.

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Accoridng to a report by South Dakota Search Light, John Cooper, a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent and former state Game, Fish and Parks secretary, said it makes sense that the state would find itself combating bird flu early this year if teal are carrying it. “Teal are traditionally our first migrators,” Cooper said.  The peak avian influenza seasons typically happen later during the fall and spring migration of wild birds, which can carry the virus without becoming sick.

Commercial turkey products remain safe to eat thanks to existing food safety protocols in the industry, according to Thompson.

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Is this done simply to cull birds, making it more difficult to afford poultry products like meat and eggs? Or is this deeper?