What does the 2022 bird flu outbreak mean for Wisconsin poultry?

The influenza virus, which is fatal to birds and easily spreads among birds, is very vigilant for poultry producers in Wisconsin. The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the spring of 2022 is the most severe in North America in seven years.

Although the threat to human health is minimal, the virus can wipe out backyard chicken herds and large poultry surgery as well. In addition, the outbreak of bird flu has the potential to further increase poultry and egg prices, as food prices are already rising due to rising energy prices and pandemic-related supply chain problems.

Here’s what you need to know about the outbreak and its impact on Wisconsin:

What is the tension behind the outbreak?

There are many influenza viruses that can infect and get sick in different types of animals, including birds, pigs, and humans. The virus that spreads to wild birds and poultry farms around North America in the spring of 2022 Type A bird flu It is labeled H5N1.

The H5N1 subtype It mainly infects birds and makes them sick. It is capable of severely illness and killing large numbers of birds, unlike other common bird flu subtypes. Therefore, highly pathogenic subtypes pose a great risk to poultry and egg producers.

Where did the outbreak occur?

The H5N1 virus, which is now prevalent in North America, was previously prevalent worldwide among wild birds and occasionally occurred in poultry businesses around the world.

The virus has since spread rapidly among birds throughout North America. First detection As of April 13, the virus had been identified in wild birds, backyard poultry herds, or commercial activity in nine Canadian states and 35 states, including Wisconsin. According to the US Geological Survey..

Virus spread is accelerating northward In the spring migration Description of many North American bird species Ron KeanPoultry expert University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension..

Where was the virus found in Wisconsin?

H5N1 bird flu was discovered during wild bird flock, backyard chicken herds, and in multiple poultry surgeries throughout Wisconsin in the spring of 2022.

The virus is First confirmed At a huge egg farm in Jefferson County, which housed more than 2.7 million laying hens in the state on March 14. In the announcement of virus confirmation, Wisconsin Trade, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Agency Said it was the first detection of H5N1 in Wisconsin since the huge North America Outbreak of bird flu in 2015..

(Credit: National Wildlife Health Center / US Geological Survey)

At the end of March Announced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources The virus was identified in Wild birds Various species around the state, including Colombia, Dane, Grant, Milwaukee and Pork County.

In the first half of April, the virus Confirmed With two backyard herds in Racine County and Rock County In large-scale commercial activities About 50,000 turkeys are bred in Barron County. The business is owned by Jenny-O, a large turkey supplier with a strong presence in western Wisconsin and Minnesota. Barron County’s business is ” [Jennie-O’s] According to April 9, the Minnesota supply chain affected by the outbreak of bird flu update From the company.

How do regulatory agencies and producers respond?

With the H5N1 outbreak, Wisconsin poultry farms and agricultural regulators are closely monitoring the situation. State agricultural agencies recommend that farmers move their herds indoors if possible to reduce the risk of transmission from wild birds.

Commercial and non-commercial herds Biosecurity protocol This includes proper disinfection of equipment, restrictions on visitors, wearing clean clothes and shoes, and restrictions on traffic between farms.

During the 2015 H5N1 bird flu outbreak, the truck’s undercarriage was cleaned prior to departure as organic matter from depopulated herds in northwestern Iowa emerged from the container onto the premises. (Credit: Mike Milleson / US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Quarantine Service / Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/17840535114/ / CC BY 2.0 / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/) by / 2.0 /)

Farmers suspected of illness in the herd should Contact DATCP’s Animal Health DepartmentCoordinate testing for viruses and other illnesses. Common symptoms of poultry infections include sudden death, lack of energy and appetite, decreased spawning, purple discoloration of featherless body parts, dyspnea and other respiratory symptoms, tripping, and diarrhea. I have.

The virus Confirmed in the flockFrom regulatory agencies United States Department of Agriculture And DATCP said “DepopulationOf the flock. “

“It’s more humane to euthanize them than to kill them with illness,” said extension specialist Keane. In addition, by killing the herd quickly, he said, the risk of the virus spreading elsewhere can be reduced. USDA detail Two major depopulation methods: water-based foam or carbon dioxide gas. Both choke the birds.

According to Keane, depopulated herds are usually composted on-site and indoors, ideally before the farm repopulates the herd.

Does this bird flu pose a threat to humans?

H5N1 bird flu can infect species other than birds, but it is rarely transmitted to humans and is usually limited to people in close contact with infected birds, such as poultry farm workers. .. According to the CDC..Agency Shown The outbreak in 2022 “provides a low risk to the public.”

Since its outbreak in the 1990s, less than 1,000 people worldwide have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.The virus killed more than half of infected people, but human-to-human transmission Very rare and limited.. Signs of avian influenza infection in humans range from asymptomatic to mild flu-like symptoms, high fever, body aches, malaise, and severe pneumonia with other respiratory symptoms.

Note the evidence that bird flu rarely spreads among humans, Shown by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services After the virus was confirmed in the state, “there was no imminent threat to Wisconsin.”

In addition, bird flu does not endanger eating poultry or eggs. According to USDA..

“It shouldn’t be a food safety concern,” Keane said.

On the other hand, the loss of large numbers of birds can keep poultry prices rising. eggKeane added, at least temporarily.

How long will the outbreak last?

Keane said it is difficult to predict how long the current outbreak of bird flu could pose a threat to Wisconsin’s poultry business.He said that some researchers Express surprise How well could this iteration of H5N1 persist among wild birds around the world? Moreover, as long as the virus is circulating, the risk of infection between commercial herds may remain. He said that the risk should be minimized by adhering to biosecurity protocols.

In addition, Keane said that if Wisconsin continues to experience spring temperatures in cold climates, the risk of spread is likely to increase, and the virus survives better at cooler temperatures.