Avian influenza detected in Wisconsin poultry flock

Highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected at a commercial poultry farm in Barron County, Wisconsin, affecting just over 79,000 birds near Rice Lake. State officials from the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirmed the virus was identified after the farm reported increased mortality rates within the flock.

The affected birds have been culled, and the farm is working with state officials on proper disposal. While one other commercial poultry facility is located within three kilometers of the site, no detections have been reported there as of yet. This incident follows four other cases in Wisconsin during 2026 that impacted approximately 4.3 million birds.

State Veterinarian Dr. Darlene Konkle noted that detections have recently increased in the upper Midwest, including the Dakotas and Minnesota. Officials are urging farms to tighten biosecurity measures, particularly during the fall when migratory wild birds increase the risk of transmission. The H5N1 virus has continued to circulate among wild and domestic birds in North America since late 2021.