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Avian influenza found in wild Wisconsin birds

Avian influenza has been found in some wild birds in Wisconsin.

Department of Natural Resources officials confirm finding the H5N1 virus in a wild merganser duck in Milwaukee County.  DNR officials also say there have been reports of around 50 sick ducks along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Milwaukee and the Illinois border.  Since mid-December, the virus has affected swans and Canada geese in Dane, St. Croix, Wood, Brown, Racine and Milwaukee counties.

As for commercial flocks, Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection officials say the last H5N1 outbreak was December 26th, 2024 on a Burnett County farm where more than 18-thousand birds were depopulated.