Wisconsin confirms HPAI case in Rusk County backyard poultry flock

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirmed Thursday that a backyard poultry flock in Rusk County tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The agency said all birds on the property were euthanized and will not enter the food system. DATCP did not disclose how the flock became infected.

HPAI, an influenza type A virus, has been circulating among wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. The virus can spread through contact with infected birds, wild bird droppings, or contaminated equipment and clothing, according to DATCP.

When HPAI is detected in a backyard flock, officials may establish a 10-kilometer surveillance zone, though nearby poultry operations would not face movement restrictions. DATCP advised livestock owners to wash hands, disinfect equipment, limit animal access, and isolate new birds for at least 30 days. The agency also recommended keeping poultry indoors when feasible.