USDA released a fall high path avian influenza plan on Friday and it builds on the lessons learned from the outbreak should the disease reappear. South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven says the plan looks at improved USDA preparedness and response, plus increased personnel. It also reinforces the efforts by the agency and poultry producers to focus on increased surveillance and biosecurity on farms to prevent the bird flu.

He says part of the plan also includes increased wild bird surveillance at the state levels and the development of a vaccine.

Oedekoven says while they’re preparing for the fall migration of bird, he’s not sure what the odds are the virus will re-emerge.

South Dakota lost 500,000 turkeys and 1.25 million laying hens due to bird flu earlier this year and nearly 49 million birds were lost nationwide.