Bird flu at Palmyra egg farm; millions of chickens, eggs to be destroyed
PALMYRA, Wis. - Nearly three million chickens and eggs will need to be destroyed now that Wisconsin officials confirm cases of bird flu at a Jefferson County farm. It is the first case in the state since 2015.
The Wisconsin Department Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection confirmed cases of bird flu at the commercial poultry flock. The positive samples came from Cold Spring Egg Farm in Palmyra.
"Movement of any poultry or poultry products were restricted. Also, any farm within a 10-kilometer radius poultry farm, those also are restricted from moving any products on or off their site," said Kevin Hoffman of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Kevin Hoffman
The state said the farm has about 2.75 million chickens and eggs – and every single one of them will be destroyed.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
In a statement to FOX6 News, Cold Spring Egg Farm said the following:
"Cold Spring Egg Farms (sp) is committed to keeping our birds healthy and to producing safe, wholesome, quality eggs and egg products.
"Despite incorporating extensive precautionary measures to protect our flocks, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in birds on our Wisconsin farm. Our family has spent our lives working to ensure the well-being of our flocks, and this news deeply affects all of us.
"We are working with USDA and state officials to determine our next steps to limit the spread of this disease. Protecting birds on our farms remains our firm focus. We appreciate the continuing support of our team and community."
Cold Spring Egg Farm, Palmyra
"It’s not easy for anybody on site, it’s not easy for the producer, but as animal health staff it’s our priority to make sure this virus doesn’t spread off site," Hoffman said.
Health officials say birds from the flock will not enter the food system. But they are asking people with poultry to move them indoors – and watch for symptoms.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
"Coughing, sneezing, inability to stand, lameness, those sorts of things," Hoffman said.
Cold Spring Egg Farm, Palmyra
Officials say no human cases of bird flu have been found in the United States. But you can never be too careful.
"Cooking poultry to an internal temperature to 165 degrees because that does kill bacteria and viruses," Hoffman said.
If you have chickens, Wisconsin officials ask you to report symptoms in your flock.
Cold Spring Egg Farm, Palmyra
Featured
Wisconsin man charged; Capitol insurrection in January 2021
A Wisconsin man is due in federal court Thursday on charges of assaulting law enforcement using a deadly or dangerous weapon during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Featured
Third Ward shooting: Keasean Ellis-Brown bond set at $1M
Keasean Ellis-Brown, the man accused of shooting an off-duty Milwaukee police detective in January, made his initial court appearance Thursday.
Featured
Milwaukee man charged in fatal crash near Fond du Lac and Congress
DaJohn Norwood, 21, has been charged in a reckless driving crash that killed a 43-year-old West Allis woman near Fond du Lac and Congress Saturday, March 12.