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Avian influenza affects another Wisconsin flock

Wisconsin has three new cases of avian influenza in the past three weeks.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says the newest case is a backyard flock in Racine County involving eight birds confirmed October 9th. DATCP officials tell Brownfield the flock consisted of chickens, ducks, and a goose.

Wisconsin has two other recent cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Jefferson County, both on commercial egg operations causing the loss of nearly three and a half million chickens.  The only other Wisconsin case so far in 2025 was in Sheboygan County at a backyard flock in early April.

DATCP officials say H5N1 HPAI 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.  Growers are urged to protect their flocks and dairy herds from the disease by 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.  So far, Wisconsin has no dairy herds affected by the disease.