WattAgNet: Avian influenza quarantines lifted in Wisconsin

Remaining six quarantines expected to be released soon

Release Date: 2015-07-31

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has released the  quarantines on the first three of nine commercial poultry producers affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza earlier in 2015.

The department has lifted the quarantines on three premises, one in each of Chippewa, Barron and Jefferson counties.  A backyard flock in Juneau County was the first to be released in June. The remaining six premises are in the final stages of testing that is required for release.

According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an estimated 1.95 million birds in Wisconsin have been affected by avian influenza.

“Now that we are releasing the quarantines on the affected properties, these producers can now restock their barns and resume business,” said Dr. Paul McGraw, Wisconsin state veterinarian.

Despite this good news, McGraw said there is a strong likelihood that the virus could return in the fall when temperatures fall and wild birds begin to migrate.

“Wild birds may not show signs of illness, but they still carry the virus. With all the wild birds heading south in the fall, that expands our risk of finding it again,” McGraw said.

Bookmark WATTAgNet’s avian influenza update page for current news and analysis concerning avian influenza and its impact on the poultry industry.