MADISON, Wis. — The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in 2022, continues to rampage across the United States, and appears to be heightening as the fall wild bird migration is beginning.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced that it has identified a case of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County. DATCP and USDA animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response, DATCP said.
They quarantined the infected premises, depopulated the birds to prevent the spread of disease, and guaranteed that the birds from the flock will not enter the food system.
Additionally, DATCP is urging all livestock owners to execute biosecurity measures to protect their healthy flocks and herds. This includes keeping birds indoors, when possible, washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals, and separating new additions to the flock or herd for at least 30 days, DATCP added.
Although the risk to the general public remains low, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Jefferson County Public Health are keeping an eye on exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms, DATCP said.
DATCP is also reminding livestock owners to register their premises, as it is required by state law and helps animal health officials communicate with owners during an outbreak.
On Sept. 25, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported that for the previous 30 days there have been 14 commercial flocks and 7 backyard flocks affected by HPAI. The commercial flocks include 8 in South Dakota, 2 in North Dakota, and 4 in Minnesota. These combined confirmations total 630,000 affected birds.
For more information on bird flu, visit APHIS at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza.
