Avian flu hits close to home as 40,000 birds destroyed

State agriculture officials on Friday announced that highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, was found in a commercial poultry flock of 40,000 birds near Cedar Grove, affecting other chicken and egg operations in northern Ozaukee County.

It’s the state’s first outbreak of bird flu since December when two commercial flocks in Burnett and Barron County and one backyard flock in Kenosha County were impacted, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which announced that it is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address the outbreak.

DATCP said on Friday that the poultry  operation has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property will be destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Sheboygan County Public Health are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms.

The risk to the general public is low, officials say.

The H5N1 HPAI virus, as it is known, has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. The viruses are highly contagious and often fatal to domestic poultry. The disease varies in severity depending on the strain and species affected.

The disease can be spread by contact with infected birds, commingling with wild birds or their droppings, equipment or clothing worn by anyone working with the animals.

A 10-kilometer “control zone” has been established around the infected site, extending into northern Ozaukee County, including Belgium and Fredonia.

Movement within the control zone is restricted on or off any premises with poultry.

Surrounding the control area, out to 20 kilometers, is a surveillance zone.

Poultry operations within the surveillance zone are not under quarantine, but are advised to restrict movement only to what is necessary, as the virus is likely circulating in the wild population.

Because of that, all operations within the surveillance zone should monitor their flocks for any changes in behavior or health.

Just last month, two peregrine falcons, Brinn and Beasley, nesting at the Port Washington power plant were deemed to be victims of the virus.

Earlier this year, authorities tested additional dead birds for avian flu in multiple counties across Wisconsin after a wild duck was found in Milwaukee with the virus.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has tested birds in Adams, Outagamie, Racine and Waukesha counties, the DNR has reported.

Since December, bird flu has also been detected in wild birds across Wisconsin, including in Dane, St. Croix, Wood and Brown counties.

Though human spread of bird flu is rare, dozens of human cases have been reported nationwide this year, including in Wisconsin, as people have become sick after coming in contact with infected poultry and other animals.

In 2023, 308,455 birds were destroyed when the bird flu virus was detected in six Wisconsin commercial flocks located in Barron and Trempealeau counties and one backyard flock in Taylor County, according to a DATCP press release.

DATCP urges all livestock owners to implement strong biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from the disease.

These include 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 report increased mortality or signs of illness among domestic birds, dairy cattle, or other animals, contact DATCP at (608) 224-4872 during business hours or (800) 943-0003 after hours and weekends.

To report five or more sick or dead birds in one area,  contact the DNR by emailing DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or calling (608) 267-0866.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of bird flu in humans may include eye redness and irritation, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches and fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever reaching 100 degrees or more, or pneumonia requiring hospitalization.