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The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) in a backyard poultry flock in Kenosha County.
DATCP and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises will not move poultry or poultry products. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.
On December 18, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced a presumptive positive human case of HPAI H5N1. Access the press release. DATCP and DHS continue to work together to provide information on personal protective equipment (PPE). DHS advises those working with animals to take precautions and wear PPE per CDC guidance. Producers and processors can request PPE from the DHS medical stockpile. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk from H5N1 detections remains low.
DATCP continues to urge all livestock owners to implement strong biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from the disease. This includes washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals, and separating new additions to the flock or herd for at least 30 days. Poultry owners are asked, when possible, to keep their birds indoors.
When HPAI H5N1 is diagnosed in a Wisconsin poultry flock, a control area is established within a 10 kilometer area around the infected premises, restricting movement on or off any premises with poultry. Poultry producers should utilize DATCP's mapping tool to determine if their poultry are located within an active control area or surveillance zone.
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