The following is an update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) caused by the influenza virus H5N1.
National Landscape
In the past 30 days, the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the presence of HPAI (H5N1) in 225 dairy herds in three states.
Wisconsin Landscape
As of today, there have been two detections of HPAI in poultry in Wisconsin: one in Barron County and one in Kenosha County.
There have been no detections of HPAI (H5N1) in Wisconsin cattle at this time.
Biosecurity and Monitoring
- Producers should continue to enhance biosecurity and monitor disease in their herds.
- Report herds with unexplained symptoms to DATCP at (608) 224-4872 (business hours) or (800) 943-0003 (after hours and weekends).
Human Health Precautions
- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced the first presumptive case of H5 in a human on December 18, 2024.
- Human cases of H5N1 have been reported following exposure to dairy cattle.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) advises those working with animals to take precautions and wear PPE per CDC guidance.
- Request PPE from Wisconsin DHS medical stockpile.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk from H5N1 detections remains low.
Food Safety
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA continue to emphasize that the commercial milk supply is safe because of the pasteurization process.
- USDA is also confident that the meat supply is safe.
