No new cases since April: Avian influenza quarantine released in Juneau County

MADISON (WITI) — The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced Tuesday, May 19th that after extensive surveillance and testing for avian influenza, the quarantine zone within 6.2 miles (10 km.) of a farm in Juneau County has been released.

There have been no new detections of HPAI in the county since the original incident in April affecting a flock of backyard birds.

DATCP confirmed on April 16th that a flock of 33 mixed breed backyard poultry in Juneau County had been infected with H5N2 avian influenza. Since then, DATCP successfully implemented a coordinated response with the property owners, USDA, and other state agencies to contain and eliminate the disease. The affected farm was immediately quarantined and the remaining birds in the flock were depopulated.

“Even though we are starting to release quarantines, it’s not time to let down our guard quite yet,” says Dr. Paul McGraw, Wisconsin State Veterinarian.  “As long as this virus might still be in the environment, we need to be closely watching birds for signs of illness.”

Bird owners are reminded that the poultry movement ban to shows, exhibitions and swap meets in Juneau and the other counties with infected properties, including Barron, Chippewa and Jefferson, still remains in effect until May 31st.  McGraw doesn’t currently have plans to cancel bird exhibitions at any local, county or state fairs.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, need to continue practicing good biosecurity, preventing contact between their birds and wild birds, and reporting sick birds or unusual bird deaths to your veterinarian and the DATCP’s Animal Health division at 1-800-572-8981.

Additional information and resources concerning avian influenza can be found on DATCP’s web site at datcp.wi.gov.