DNR Reports Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza In Wild Merganser Collected From Milwaukee County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that laboratory tests have identified the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) in a wild merganser collected from Milwaukee County last week.

Testing was completed at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, and the presumptive positive result is consistent with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

The DNR has also received additional reports of sick or dead waterfowl, mostly mergansers, along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. In total, these reports have involved less than 50 birds.

Since mid-December, the H5 HPAI virus has been detected in six counties – Dane, St. Croix, Wood, Brown, Racine and Milwaukee. The majority of mortality reports have been for swans and Canada geese.

“It is important to remember that avian influenza is still present in Wisconsin, and we are seeing it affect birds in isolated areas around the state,” said Jasmine Batten, DNR Wildlife Health Supervisor. “However, this winter’s HPAI detections in wild birds have remained relatively low. The best advice we can give is to remain aware and avoid handling wild birds as much as possible.”

According to public health officials, the risk to the general public from avian influenza remains low. Still, people should avoid handling sick or dead wildlife or allowing their pets to come into contact with sick or dead wildlife when possible. If you must touch a dead bird, follow guidance provided on the DNR’s Avian Influenza webpage. More information on HPAI and public health can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services‘ Avian Influenza A Virus webpage.

Reporting Sick Or Dead Wildlife

The DNR is interested in groups (5 or more) sick or dead wild birds. Depending on the specifics of the case, DNR staff will decide whether to collect a sample. The public can report sick or dead wild birds through the DNR’s Sick or Dead Bird Reporting Form or by contacting the Wildlife Switchboard at DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0866.

More information on avian influenza viruses and the ongoing response to this HPAI strain is available on the DNR’s Avian Influenza webpage. The DNR will continue to update the webpage with any future HPAI findings in wild Wisconsin birds.

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.