HPAI Detected in Walworth County and Jefferson County Poultry Flocks

For more information, resources and updates on HPAI in poultry in Wisconsin, visit the DATCP website.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection today announced a detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Walworth and Jefferson counties. Access the release for Walworth County. Access the release for Jefferson County. Find information on biosecurity to protect your farm from infectious diseases.

DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the county public health departments are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms. The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low. Prevention information for farmworkers or others who have close contact with birds, dairy cows, or other relevant animals can be found under https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/occupational-health/farm-health.htm.

DATCP urges 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.

To learn more or get updates on HPAI in poultry, visit hpai.wi.gov.

To learn more or get updates on HPAI in dairy, visit Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Dairy Cattle. 

DATCP updates both of these pages with new resources and information as it becomes available. 

Nationwide Summary

According to USDA, the NVSL has confirmed HPAI in 66 flocks across the nation in the last 30 days. Access the map of confirmed HPAI detections in poultry.

Additional Resources

• Biosecurity checklist
• USDA highly pathogenic avian influenza webpage