Another detection of H5 avian influenza has been made in a commercial turkey flock in Barron County, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced today. About 16,000 breeding turkeys and nearly 42,000 hatching eggs are affected. This is now the eighth case in Wisconsin and the fourth in Barron County. While lethal to domestic poultry, the strain of virus detected is not known to have caused disease in humans and is not expected to pose a risk to public health or the food supply.
The property was immediately quarantined and neighboring properties with poultry will be notified about the situation. Remaining birds will be depopulated and will not enter the food supply. Following USDA protocols, surveillance and testing procedures will take place at properties near the affected facility to ensure the virus has not spread.
The H5 avian influenza virus was first detected in Wisconsin at a commercial chicken flock in Jefferson County on Monday, April 13. Since then seven additional flocks were detected in Barron, Juneau, Chippewa, and Jefferson counties bringing the total of birds affected to more than 1.5 million in Wisconsin. Multiple outbreaks of avian influenza have occurred most recently in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, the Dakotas and Kansas leading to the depopulation of more than 8 million turkeys and chickens.
A ban on poultry movement to shows, exhibitions and swap meets in Barron, Chippewa, Jefferson, and Juneau counties remains in effect through the end of May.
Wisconsinites are reminded that the avian influenza virus strain currently detected in Wisconsin and the other states presents low risk to public health. Poultry meat and egg products in the marketplace remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked.
Officials are investigating how the virus entered the flock and may not have answers for some time. Until then, backyard poultry owners and other poultry producers are encouraged to practice good biosecurity and to take steps that prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. They also should monitor their flock closely and report sick or dead birds to DATCP at 1-800-572-8981.
For more information on avian influenza and biosecurity measures, go to datcp.wi.gov/Animals/Animal_Diseases/Avian_Influenza/index.aspx.
OVERALL SUMMARY
Since the confirmed presence of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Wisconsin, state and federal agencies have been working alongside organization and industry partners to minimize the impact and eliminate the disease. The information below summarizes the current situation.
Latest Information (as of 10 a.m. May 3, 2015)
We have confirmed the presence of H5N2 HPAI in the following county(ies):
- Barron – 4th detection, 16,054 breeding turkeys and 41,760 hatching eggs (commercial)
Current Situation
Total number of farms – 8
Total number of counties – 4
Farms by County/Number of Flocks
- Barron: 4
- Chippewa: 1
- Jefferson: 2*
- Juneau: 1
Total number of birds affected in Wisconsin – 1,454,670
All affected farms remain under quarantine.
Visit the USDA’s website for information on all HPAI findings in the United States.
*Wisconsin National Guard personnel are assisting with the response to the first detection in Jefferson County. The 14 Guard members deployed to the site are assisting with cleaning and disinfection of large vehicles and equipment leaving the site. They have specialized training in this function and are NOT involved directly in the depopulation efforts on the farm.
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