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Wisconsin - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Poultry 2024-2026

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Dane County


​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2026
Contact: Sam GO, Communications Director, (608) 334-0220, sam.go@wisconsin.gov

Download PDF​​


MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Dane County.

DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

The H5N1 HPAI virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. H5N1 HPAI viruses are highly contagious and often fatal to domestic poultry. Caused by influenza type A viruses, 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.

DATCP continues to urge all livestock owners to implement strong biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from the disease. This includes 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.

The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low. Prevention information for farmworkers or others who have close contact with birds, dairy cows, or other relevant animals can be found under https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/occupational-health/farm-health.htm.

DATCP reminds Wisconsin livestock owners to register their premises. State law requires that all livestock owners register where their animals are kept. Registration helps animal health officials communicate with flock and herd owners during disease outbreaks.

To report increased mortality or signs of illness among domestic birds, dairy cattle, or other animals, contact DATCP at (608) 224-4872 (business hours) or (800) 943-0003 (after hours and weekends). 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: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HPAIWisconsin.aspx.

H5N1 in Other Species

The HPAI H5N1 virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. Since that time, the H5N1 virus has also affected other species, including mammalian species. Wisconsin previously identified an H5N1 infection in one dairy herd in the state last year. The quarantine was released for that farm. DATCP continues to work with USDA to conduct testing for H5N1, encourage biosecurity, and provide resources to producers.

For updates on how the H5N1 virus is affecting dairy cattle across the country, and to find resources on protecting Wisconsin dairy cattle, visit DATCP's H5N1 in Dairy Cattle webpage: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/AvianInfluenzaCattle.aspx.


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​https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/HighlyPathogenicAvianInfluenzaConfirmedinDaneCounty.aspx
 
March 6, 2026

HPAI Confirmed in Walworth and Jefferson County Poultry Flocks

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection today announced a detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Walworth and Jefferson counties. Access the press release for Walworth County. Access the press release for Jefferson County. Find information on biosecurity to protect your farm from infectious diseases.

DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the county public health departments are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms. The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low. Prevention information for farmworkers or others who have close contact with birds, dairy cows, or other relevant animals can be found under https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/occupational-health/farm-health.htm.

DATCP urges all livestock owners to implement strong biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from the disease. This includes washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals, and separating new additions to the flock or herd for at least 30 days.

To learn more or get updates on HPAI in poultry, visit hpai.wi.gov.

To get updates on HPAI in dairy, visit Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Dairy Cattle.

Walworth Co. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/HighlyPathogenicAvianInfluenzaConfirmedinWalworthC ounty.aspx
Jefferson Co. https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/HPAIConfirmedinJeffersonCountyMarch62026.aspx
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https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestoc...za/hpai-detections/commercial-backyard-flocks
 
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What is going on with bird flu?

posted March 10, 2026 - 9:30am
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H5N1, better known as HPAI or “bird flu,” is back in the news, with another outbreak reported at a commercial poultry facility in Jefferson County(link is external) and in a backyard flock in Dane County(link is external). The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is working with the owners in both cases to stop the spread of illness. Keep reading for everything you need to know.

The current risk to public health remains low, but we are monitoring the situation closely, and so should you.


Bird flu is a strain of influenza A that spreads among wild birds and sometimes causes outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkey). Usually, this flu spreads between animals and birds, but sometimes it can spread to people.

As of now, if you don't have regular contact with poultry, dairy cows, or wild birds, you likely won't be exposed to bird flu. However, because bird flu activity(link is external)DOCX typically increases in the spring, it's a good idea to have a general understanding of how to protect yourself:
  • Avoid contact with wild birds and sick or dead animals. For many of us, it’s human nature to want to help. So, when you see a hurt or sick creature, your first response might be to try and help it. Right now, our best advice is to leave them alone. By attempting to pick up or move the bird, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, but you’re potentially endangering the people and animals wherever you decide to take it.
  • If you do have to handle a sick, injured, or dead bird, take extra precautions. Wear personal protective equipment, like disposable gloves and a well-fitting mask, and dispose of the bird in a bag and place in the garbage(opens in a new window)(link is external)PDF.
  • It’s not too late to get your seasonal flu shot. Even though we’re starting to see signs of spring, flu season isn’t over yet. Getting your annual flu shot reduces your risk of getting sick. It also reduces the chances of getting the H5N1 bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time. Why is that important? Having both types of flu at the same time could allow the virus to change in ways that enable it to spread from human to human.
  • Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products. Cases of bird flu continue to be identified in dairy cows.The pasteurization process kills harmful germs by heating the milk to a specific temperature.
If you do work with or handle poultry or dairy cows, there is additional guidance available.


If you have a job or hobby that involves direct contact with poultry, dairy cows, or wild birds, you're at higher risk of being exposed to bird flu. Whether you're one of the 121 current backyard chicken license holders in Dane County, or you work on a commercial farm, take extra care when handling sick animals. There is guidance available on the DHS Farm Worker Health and Safety webpage(link is external):
These resources outline simple steps like keeping germs away through proper disinfecting protocols, limiting visitors to your property, having a biosecurity plan, and avoiding wild birds and pests.

Do you have a backyard flock?


If birds in your flock have bird flu, or you suspect they might, take the following actions to protect yourself:
  • Don't touch sick or dead birds, their feces or litter, or any surface or water source (for example, ponds, waterers, buckets, pans, troughs) that might be contaminated with their saliva, feces, or any other bodily fluids without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Wear PPE(link is external) when around sick or dead birds and while cleaning and disinfecting contaminated areas. As much as possible, during the cleaning process, avoid stirring up dust, bird waste, and feathers to prevent virus from spreading into the air.
You can find additional guidance on the CDC Backyard Flock Owners webpage(link is external).

If contact does happen, monitor yourself for symptoms.


If you do have contact with sick animals, monitor yourself for symptoms. Symptoms of mild illness(link is external) may include eye redness or irritation, fever, cough, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, can lead to complications like pneumonia or organ failure.

If you have any of these symptoms after close contact with birds, dairy cows, or unpasteurized dairy products, you should get tested for H5N1 bird flu. Call your doctor’s office before going in to let them know you’ve had exposure to birds, dairy cows, and/or unpasteurized dairy products.

Public Health is your source of trusted information.


We will continue to monitor any new cases of H5N1 bird flu in Wisconsin and will provide updates when we can. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our blog to get new posts sent directly to your inbox and follow us on Instagram(link is external) and Facebook(link is external).

We also have a webpage dedicated to H5N1 Bird Flu at publichealthmdc.com/birdflu.
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​https://publichealthmdc.com/blog/2026-03-10/what-is-going-on-with-bird-flu
 
Cleanup of spill ongoing at Jefferson County egg farm amid bird flu outbreak

​MARCH 24, 2026

Cleanup is ongoing after a Jefferson County egg farm spilled thousands of gallons of wastewater amid an outbreak of bird flu.

The spill was first reported by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after the agency became aware of the spill through a complaint to a conservation warden.

On Feb. 27, Daybreak Foods reported that an employee improperly discharged between 3,000 to 4,200 gallons of wastewater from washing eggs at its Cold Spring Egg Farm in Jefferson County. That’s according to the report of noncompliance submitted by the farm on March 20.
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Continued: https://www.wpr.org/news/cleanup-spill-jefferson-county-egg-farm-bird-flu-outbreak
 
Palmyra egg farm fire adds to concerns amid bird flu issues

​ April 23, 2026​ The Brief
    • Fire crews responded to a barn fire at a Daybreak Foods site along Highway 59 in Palmyra.
    • Officials say the building was unoccupied, destroyed, and no injuries were reported.
    • Neighbors say odor and avian flu composting issues continue to impact nearby homes.
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PALMYRA, Wis. - A barn fire at a Palmyra egg farm Thursday, April 23, sent a large plume of smoke into the sky, adding to ongoing concerns from neighbors already dealing with bird flu-related operations in the area.

What we know:
Fire crews from multiple agencies responded to the scene at an unoccupied commercial building owned by Daybreak Foods, which operates farms along Wisconsin Highway 59, around 1:15 p.m. Thursday. Crews arrived to find heavy fire throughout about half the building, with wind pushing flames across the rest of the structure.

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The blaze comes as Daybreak Foods continues to deal with avian flu outbreaks, which have forced the depopulation of nearly 3 million chickens this year. Carcasses have been composted at nearby sites, drawing complaints from neighbors about odor, water quality and potential health impacts.

continued: https://www.fox6now.com/news/chicken-farm-fire-palmyra-multiple-agencies-responding
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