(WFRV) — There have been recent reports of avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, impacting area wildlife.
More than a dozen geese were found dead at Duck Creek Quarry in the Village of Howard on Monday, with testing still underway.
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“Avian influenza is an influenza virus that occurs in birds, particularly our waterfowl. Species are natural reservoirs and have a whole string of these viruses,” said DNR Wildlife Health Section Supervisor Jasmine Batten. “The Village of Howard did work with our wildlife biologist to collect specimens. They have been submitted, so we can’t confirm that it is avian influenza without that testing.”
Some areas at the quarry appeared to be blocked off to the public. This keeps people from entering and tracking the virus back home by getting in contact with other people or animals.
Brown County Public Health provided the following statement regarding the potential human impact of avian flu cases in geese recently discovered in Howard:
“Brown County currently does not have any confirmed human cases, and the risk to the general public remains low.”
Meanwhile, there was a confirmed case in a backyard poultry flock in Kenosha County. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) identified the case of highly pathogenic avian influenza Wednesday afternoon.
When bird flu is diagnosed in a Wisconsin poultry flock, a control area is established within a 10-kilometer radius around the infected premises, restricting movement on or off any premises with poultry.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection issued the following statement in part:
“DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises will not move poultry or poultry products, and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.”
Batten with the DNR also said it is important to stay clear of areas where sick or dead birds have been reported.
“It’s important to share information with the Department of Natural Resources about sick and dead wildlife, especially groups of wildlife on a landscape,” she said. “That is really important for us to be able to monitor the health of our wildlife and track impacts of disease outbreaks.”
The first presumptive positive human case was detected in Barron County also Wednesday afternoon.
There was no connection between the Kenosha flock and the Barron County human case; however, experts with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services warned the general public about taking additional safety precautions.
“One way to try to reduce the number of infections is to prevent them if at all possible in the first place,” said Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Darlene Konkle. “Washing hands before feeding or working with animals, wearing dedicated boots or clothing when working with animals to avoid tracking the virus into the barns or flocks.”
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also issued the following statement, in part, addressing the first presumptive positive human case in the state:
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“The person had exposure to the infected flock. The case was identified through testing at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH) and is pending confirmation at CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). DHS, in coordination with Barron County Health and Human Services, is monitoring farm workers who may have been exposed to the virus and has provided them with information to protect their health.”
Prevention information for farmworkers or others who have close contact with birds, dairy cows, or other relevant animals can be found under Protective Actions for People.
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