A commercial poultry flock in Sheboygan County will be depopulated, with none of the birds entering the food system. That announcement came this Friday afternoon from the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection as it announced the discovery of a case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza within that flock which, according to DATCP records, numbers around 40,000 birds. With that announcement also comes the word that there are no apparent risks to human health from domestic poultry or their products at this time. But for producers and owners of poultry, the impact is immediate.
The virus, known as HPAI H5N1, is the same that has been impacting the price of eggs nationwide as it spreads from an infected wild bird or their droppings to flocks, or is even transferred from the clothing of workers who’ve contacted the virus by handling infected animals. When HPAI H5N1 is diagnosed in a Wisconsin poultry flock, a control area is established within a 10 kilometer area around the infected premises, restricting movement on or off any premises with poultry. The quarantine will remain in effect until released by the State Veterinarian. Until then, all poultry producers in the Control Area must comply with stringent biosecurity and permitting protocols.
Surrounding the Control Area 10 kilometer perimeter, out to 20 kilometers is a Surveillance Zone. Within that, all registered poultry premises will receive a survey from the Division of Animal Health at DATCP. Poultry within the Surveillance Zone is not under quarantine, but it is strongly advised to restrict movement only to that necessary, as the virus is likely circulating in the wild population. Because of that, all within the Surveillance Zone should monitor their flocks for any changes in behavior or health of the birds.
For updates on how the virus is affecting domestic birds in Wisconsin, and to find resources on protecting Wisconsin poultry, visit DATCP’s HPAI in Poultry webpage.
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