The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) said on Tuesday, Oct. 20, that it has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County. The announcement did not name the operation or give a more specific location, flock size or bird type.
DATCP and U.S. Department of Agriculture animal health officials are responding jointly. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products, and birds on the property were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Officials said birds from the flock will not enter the food system.
When HPAI is found in a Wisconsin poultry flock, a control area is established within 10 kilometers of the infected premises, restricting movement on or off any premises with poultry. Poultry owners can use DATCP's mapping tool to check whether their birds are inside an active control area or surveillance zone.
DATCP urged livestock owners to strengthen biosecurity, including washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals, separating new additions to a flock or herd for at least 30 days and, where possible, keeping poultry indoors. The department also reminded owners that state law requires livestock premises registration, and that suspected illness or increased deaths in domestic birds or other animals should be reported through its Animal Disease Reporting page.
