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Wisconsin State Vet limits poultry movement

In an effort to prevent the spread of avian influenza, Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Paul McGraw has issued a ban on poultry movement to shows, exhibitions and swap meets in Jefferson, Juneau or Barron counties.  The highly pathogenic H5N2 strain of avian influenza has been confirmed in flocks in those counties.  McGraw says, “Gathering poultry together increases the chances of exposure to the virus.”

Commercial poultry producers, backyard flock owners and poultry exhibitioners are encouraged to use proper biosecurity methods, including restricting poultry exposure to wild birds, washing hands before and after handling poultry, using dedicated clothing and boots when working with poultry, and cleaning and disinfecting cages and equipment used with poultry.  More information is available from the DATCP website found here.

Multiple outbreaks of avian influenza have occurred most recently in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, the Dakotas and Kansas leading to the depopulation of more than 1.5 million turkeys and chickens.