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Wisconsin reports 3rd poultry, 1st human H5N1 case

Wisconsin now has it’s third case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry this year, and second case in a week.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection confirmed Wednesday that a backyard flock in Kenosha County is being depopulated after testing positive for the H5N1 virus.  Ninety-six birds are affected.  The agency confirmed 13,507 turkeys in Barron County contracted the disease December 12^th.

Along with the Barron County case, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says one person from the Barron County Farm was likely infected with the H5N1 virus.  DHS officials say the person had exposure to the infected Barron County  flock. The case was identified through testing at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH) and is pending confirmation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.