The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced Friday that it was suspending all poultry shows, exhibitions and swap meets through May 31.
The statewide suspension is a preventative measure to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to a news release.
DATCP had already suspended poultry exhibitions in Jefferson County after a commercial farm was confirmed with HPAI. Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and North Carolina are just some of the states that have implemented similar restrictions on poultry events, the release noted.
Also on Friday, the department announced that it had confirmed a case of HPAI in a poultry flock in Racine County.
According to the release, samples were tested by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continue working with animal health officials on a joint incident response. Birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent spread of the disease.
In Addition, on Saturday, DATCP, in a news release, confirmed that it had identified HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Barron County.
As of Saturday, four Wisconsin counties — Jefferson, Rock, Racine and Barron — have had confirmed cases of HPAI within flocks of domestic birds.
Further, the release stated, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that five counties – Dane, Columbia, Grant, Milwaukee, and Polk – were confirmed with HPAI among the wild bird population.
Poultry owners are asked to continue using strong biosecurity practices and, when possible, move their birds indoors.
DATCP also encourages poultry owners to register their premises. State law requires that all livestock owners register where their animals are kept, and registration helps animal health officials during disease outbreaks.
To report increased mortality or signs of illness among domestic birds, contact DATCP at (608) 224-4872 (business hours) or (800) 943-0003 (after hours and weekends).
Signs of HPAI in infected birds include:
- Sudden death without clinical signs
- Lack of energy or appetite
- Decrease in egg production; soft, misshapen eggs
- Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs
- Difficulty breathing
- Runny nose, coughing, sneezing
- Stumbling or falling down
- Diarrhea
Chickens, file photo/Kim McDarison.
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