Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was recently detected in three poultry facilities in New York State. These are the first confirmed poultry cases of HPAI in the United States in over two months and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) continues to remind poultry owners to remain vigilant in practicing proper flock biosecurity while the threat of HPAI remains.
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It is important to understand how HPAI detections can affect movement of birds into Wisconsin. Poultry purchased from sources located within designated HPAI control areas will require an approved import permit to enter Wisconsin. In addition, individuals accepting shipments of live birds from control areas may be required to perform additional steps to ensure their flocks remain safe, up to and including quarantining their flocks. DATCP strongly recommends you personally contact hatcheries and poultry dealers and ask about their status prior to purchasing birds. Control areas are rapidly established following new detections, so be sure to check close to the time of your scheduled shipment. The risk of HPAI can be minimized through strong biosecurity practices regardless of the size of the flock or operation. Those who do not have a biosecurity plan should work with their flock veterinarian to develop one that clearly addresses the risks for disease introduction specific to their operation. Biosecurity guides and other resources are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Defend the Flock Program. Last year in Wisconsin, 29 domestic flocks in 18 counties were confirmed with HPAI. Since this outbreak began in the spring of 2022, more than 800 flocks in 47 states have been impacted by this disease, resulting in the deaths of more than 58 million birds. Poultry illnesses are not limited to HPAI, so it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to investigate all instances of sick or dead birds within your flock(s). Poultry owners who recognize clinical signs consistent with HPAI, including respiratory distress, drop in food or water intake, decreased egg production, and lethargy or sudden death, are asked to contact their veterinarian or report it to DATCP at (800) 572-8981. Please visit hpai.wi.gov for regular updates on HPAI in Wisconsin and resources for poultry owners. More information on HPAI, prevention strategies, and biosecurity is available on the following webpages: |
