(The Center Square) – Wisconsin is hoping to contain its largest bird flu outbreak.
The state’s Department of Agriculture confirmed 3 million birds will be culled after the bird flu was found at a farm in Jefferson County.
“The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County,” DATCP said in a statement. “The affected premise 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 farm is owned by Daybreak Foods, Inc. Daybreak is one of the nation’s largest egg producers, it has more than 17 million chickens laying eggs at farms across the Midwest. Daybreak is listed as the country’s fourth largest egg producer.
This is the second flu outbreak for Daybreak. It previously had an outbreak in 2022, when it had different owners.
So far, Wisconsin’s DATCP says the flu has only been found in birds.
No people, or other animals have tested positive for the avian flu.
“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Jefferson County Public Health are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms. The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low,” the state added.
In all, DATCP reported four bird flu outbreaks last year, involving 73,169 birds. Wisconsin has had 19 bird flu cases since 2022.
The bird flu is an issue for more than just Wisconsin. The USDA is reporting bird flu infections from 21 different flocks in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Georgia over the past 30 days.
