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To: Wisconsin poultry producers,
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to pose a threat to the poultry industry globally. Outbreaks have been found in wild and domestic poultry internationally and, more recently, within the United States. Indiana, Kentucky, and Delaware recently experienced outbreaks in commercial flocks; Virginia, New York, Maine, and Michigan experienced outbreaks in backyard flocks. Additionally, the virus has been detected in wild birds throughout the nation.
As the state veterinarian and a representative of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), official state agency of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), I strongly encourage producers to move all birds indoors, if possible, to prevent contact with wild birds or their droppings. This will help you do your part to protect the health of your birds and the industry. I also encourage you to review your biosecurity plan and implement the highest level of security possible. You should ensure that feed and water cannot be contaminated by wild birds, such as wild ducks and geese. Helpful links and resources can be found below.
Please report any high increase in mortality or abnormal clinical signs to DATCP at (800) 572-8981. A significant decrease in water consumption has been an early indicator in affected flocks, so we encourage you to monitor this as well. Federal, state, and producer partners must work together to protect our poultry industry. Thank you for your efforts and continued partnership as we face this challenge.
Sincerely,
Darlene Konkle
State Veterinarian
Division of Animal Health
For more information, we encourage you to review the following resources:
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Division of Animal Health
https://datcp.wi.gov
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