Baldwin Introduces Bill to Combat Wildlife Disease Outbreaks
Bill comes as avian flu has killed 11 million birds in Wisconsin since 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation to prevent transmission of wildlife diseases like avian flu and chronic wasting disease between wildlife, livestock, and humans. The Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act increases interagency coordination, facilitates information sharing, improves coordination between states, and furthers sharing of best practices for managing wildlife and zoonotic disease outbreaks.
“Wisconsin farmers have dealt with the devastating fallout of avian flu and chronic wasting disease for far too long,” said Senator Baldwin. “These diseases don’t just threaten our deer herds and poultry flocks – they put our food supply, our rural economy, and public health at risk. That’s why I am introducing this bill to ensure that our state has the tools it needs to monitor and manage outbreaks, support our farmers, and protect our rural communities.”
Since March 2022, Wisconsin has lost 11.6 million birds across 50 commercial and backyard flocks due to outbreaks of avian influenza. Between late February and March of this year, Wisconsin experienced three major avian flu outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks, affecting more than 4.3 million egg-laying hens. As a result, two Wisconsin farms were forced to temporarily lay off more than 80 employees. Chronic Wasting Disease also remains an increasing concern in Wisconsin. Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in both captive and wild animals in most Wisconsin counties since its original incursion, and, in 2025, it was detected in wild deer populations across 51 Wisconsin counties.
Addressing these outbreaks is not just important for protecting wildlife and our agricultural industries, but also for Wisconsinites’ health. Three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in human populations originate from animals. In March 2024, the first reported cow-to-human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was identified after the individual encountered herds believed to have been infected by wild birds.
The Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act would take a proactive approach to disease outbreaks, establishing the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Program. The program will establish and support four Regional Wildlife Health Coordinators, one National Wildlife Health Coordinator, and one Tribal Wildlife Health Coordinator to help increase communication between Federal agencies, States, and Tribes and facilitate more comprehensive and effective responses to current and emerging wildlife disease outbreaks. More specifically, the coordinators will:
- Establish relationships with relevant Federal agencies, States, and Indian Tribes.
- Facilitate information sharing about existing and emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks between States, Tribes, and Federal agencies (including USDA, FWS, and the CDC).
- Assist States and Tribes in applying for funding to work on wildlife disease issues.
- Coordinate between States, including state agencies that work on agriculture, environment, natural resources, and public health.
- Share best management practices for zoonotic disease management and prevention.
- Report to Congress on necessary resources and response activities for preventing and mitigating wildlife diseases.
The bill is supported by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Izaak Walton League, Midwest Dairy Coalition, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, National Deer Association, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, National Wildlife Federation, Organic Trade Association, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Wisconsin Game Preserve Association, Wisconsin Pork Producers Association, and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.
“Wisconsin Farmers Union endorses the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act of 2026 and sees it as an effective way to further address disease transmission to and the protection of Wisconsin livestock,” said Darin Von Ruden, President of Wisconsin Farmers Union.
“With the outbreaks of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in dairy herds, it has become clear that the number of federal and state agencies involved in responding to the outbreak has complicated matters. The Midwest Dairy Coalition greatly appreciates Senator Baldwin’s leadership in helping to facilitate the coordination between these agencies, and in introducing legislation to formalize inter-agency coordination during emerging wild and domesticated animal disease outbreaks,” said Steven Etka, Policy Director of the Midwest Dairy Coalition.
“The National Deer Association applauds the introduction of the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act of 2026,” said Nick Pinizzotto, President and CEO of the National Deer Association. “We appreciate Senator Baldwin’s commitment to ensuring agencies have the resources and staffing needed to effectively address these issues and better serve hunters in Wisconsin and across the country.”
“The National Pork Producers Council and the Wisconsin Pork Producers Association support the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act of 2026 as a step toward stronger coordination between animal health, wildlife, and public health agencies. By improving communication and resources across federal, state, and Tribal partners, this legislation will help protect livestock, safeguard producers, and reduce the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks impacting our food system,” said the National Pork Producers Council.
“The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to support the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act of 2026, which will help communities combat infectious diseases that have high potential to affect human and animal health,” said Jonathan Levine, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine Dean.
“The WVMA supports the creation of the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Program. Our association recognizes a significant gap in veterinary medicine to link US Wildlife agencies with relevant Federal agencies, the State of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Tribes. As this proposed program will facilitate information sharing about existing and emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks with all stakeholders, it will be well-positioned to identify and assist with accessing resources for wildlife, animal, and human health,” said Brian Darkow, DVM, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Board President.
“Senator Baldwin’s Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act recognizes that wildlife and human health are closely intertwined and takes important steps to strengthen how the United States prevents and responds to disease outbreaks,” said Ross Griffin, Associate Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Wildlife Federation. “By improving coordination across federal, state, and Tribal agencies and aligning management efforts, this legislation will help safeguard both wildlife and public health, while also strengthening our nation’s resilience to emerging zoonotic threats. The National Wildlife Federation appreciates Senator Baldwin’s longstanding leadership on this critical issue.”
“State fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of wildlife disease detection and response for our nation’s biosecurity,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “From combating emerging threats like New World Screwworm and novel amphibian pathogens to constant challenges such as Chronic Wasting Disease and High Path Avian Influenza, states and their partners are working tirelessly to ensure healthy and abundant wildlife populations.”
“The threat of zoonotic disease is not hypothetical. Wildlife health is public health. This legislation is a proactive investment to ensure the right agencies are talking to each other before a problem becomes a crisis, and AAVMC, as a trusted leader and partner in advancing health for all, is proud to endorse this bill. The cost of inaction is simply too high,” said Emma K. Read, DVM, MVSc, DACVS, Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).
“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers supports this effort to strengthen coordination on wildlife disease by improving communication and resource-sharing across federal, state, and Tribal partners. Establishing dedicated wildlife health coordinators will help ensure faster, more effective responses to outbreaks, support on-the-ground management, and better conserve the fish, wildlife, and habitats that underpin access for hunters and anglers across the nation,” said Jack Polentes, Senior Policy & Government Affairs Manager.
A one-pager on the legislation is available here. Full text of the legislation is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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