JEFFERSON COUNTY (WITI) -- H5 avian influenza has been detected on two more farms in Barron and Jefferson counties, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced Monday, May 4th. Wisconsin now has 10 total cases. While lethal to domestic poultry, the strain of virus detected is not known to have caused disease in humans and is not expected to pose a risk to public health or the food supply.



Details of the two new detections are as follows:





As with past detections, each property was immediately quarantined and neighboring properties with poultry will be notified about the situation. Remaining birds will be depopulated and will not enter the food supply. Following USDA protocols, surveillance and testing procedures will take place at properties near the affected facility to ensure the virus has not spread.









The H5 avian influenza virus was first detected in Wisconsin at a commercial chicken flock in Jefferson County on Monday, April 13. Since then eight additional flocks were detected in Barron, Juneau, Chippewa and Jefferson counties bringing the total of birds affected to nearly 1.6 million in Wisconsin. 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 15.7 million turkeys and chickens.



A ban on poultry movement to shows, exhibitions and swap meets in Barron, Chippewa, Jefferson, and Juneau counties remains in effect.



Wisconsinites are reminded that the avian influenza virus strain currently detected in Wisconsin and the other states presents low risk to public health. Poultry meat and egg products in the marketplace remain safe to eat. As always, both wild and domestic poultry should be properly cooked.



Officials are investigating how the virus entered the flock and may not have answers for some time. Until then, backyard poultry owners and other poultry producers are encouraged to practice good biosecurity and to take steps that prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. They also should monitor their flock closely and report sick or dead birds to DATCP at 1-800-572-8981.



For more information on avian influenza and biosecurity measures, go to http://datcp.wi.gov/Animals/Animal_Diseases/Avian_Influenza/index.aspx.



OVERALL SUMMARY



Since the confirmed presence of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Wisconsin, state and federal agencies have been working alongside organization and industry partners to minimize the impact and eliminate the disease. The information below summarizes the current situation.




Latest Information (as of 10 a.m. May 4, 2015)



We have confirmed the presence of H5N2 HPAI in the following county/counties:







Current Situation



Total number of farms – 10

Total number of counties – 4



Farms by County/Number of Flocks









Total number of birds affected in Wisconsin – 1,597,240



All affected farms remain under quarantine.