Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
In case you missed it: in an effort to prevent the spread of HPAI, DATCP suspended all poultry shows, exhibitions, swap meets, and movement of poultry to other events in the following southern Wisconsin counties: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. Access the release for more information. Access the State order.
In the last 30 days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in:
- 62 cases in poultry in 16 states.
- Zero cases in livestock in any state.
Access the lists of detections in poultry and livestock.
To date, there has been one H5N1 detection in livestock other than poultry in Wisconsin. Access the list of recent poultry detections in Wisconsin and the list of livestock detections in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin and the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS)
With help from industry partners, Wisconsin is sampling milk at the farm level for the mandatory USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) NMTS. When Wisconsin began NMTS testing in May 2025, the goal was to test each farm approximately every month. Wisconsin achieved unaffected Gold Status under the NMTS in September 2025 and again on Monday, March 2, 2026. While Wisconsin had previously reduced its testing frequency, NMTS testing increased to 100% of farms every month due to the first HPAI Dairy detection December 2025. All quarantines related to that premises have been lifted. There have been no additional detections of HPAI on dairy farms.
DATCP will continue to utilize milk samples that are already collected through existing, routine sampling to streamline the NMTS testing process. The DATCP HPAI in Dairy Cattle webpage will continue to be updated weekly as the testing continues.
Access the updated March 29-April 4, 2026 milk testing numbers on DATCP's website. To date, more than 42,000 milk samples have been tested as part of the NMTS. These tests represent nearly all licensed dairies in Wisconsin, with continuing verifications underway to ensure complete statewide reach. The DATCP HPAI in Dairy Cattle webpage will continue to be updated weekly as the testing continues.
Biosecurity and Monitoring
It is important to remain vigilant and utilize enhanced biosecurity measures.
H5N1 Protocol: What to Do if H5N1 is Confirmed on Your Dairy Farm
DATCP created a resource document in case of a detection of H5N1 on a dairy farm. The document is intended to serve as a general reference for industry, but individual needs and response actions may differ for H5N1 detections depending on the operation and specific circumstances. Access the H5N1 Protocol: What to Do if H5N1 is Confirmed on Your Dairy Farm document.
Human Health Precautions
Human cases of H5N1 have been reported following exposure to infected animals. Access the confirmed cases and exposure sources for human infections.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services advises those working with animals to take precautions and wear PPE per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. According to the CDC, the public health risk from HPAI detections remains low.
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