Bird flu has been confirmed at a second chicken farm in Jefferson County, according to county officials.
This case was found in a commercial poultry flock, according to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), which is the lead entity coordinating the response.
A DATCP spokesperson confirmed that this second case was found in a flock of young hens owned by Daybreak Foods. The avian flu case reported last week is tied to a Cold Spring Egg Farm which is also under Daybreak Foods. The most recent incident announced Thursday discovered during surveillance testing at a different farm in the area that was already under quarantine.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Palmyra neighbors brace for second mass chicken disposal as bird flu strikes Jefferson County
Watch: Bird flu confirmed at second Jefferson County chicken farm
DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products.
Birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease, and the birds from the flock will not enter the food system, according to the release.
The discovery comes as residents in the town of Palmyra prepare for the disposal of millions of dead chickens from a separate farm where bird flu was found last week.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Jefferson County Public Health are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms. The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low.
Sydney Meyer teaches horseback riding lessons in Palmyra near the site where the birds will be composted. Meyer told TMJ4 that the news of depopulating millions of birds is affecting her business after bird flu hit the area a few years ago.
"A lot of the lesson parents have been around here for a while, so they remember the bird flu when they buried all the birds back here.. They reached out to me just saying they're not really comfortable coming back if it's going to smell like that," Meyer explained.
The last time million of chickens were disposed, Meyer says the population of flies jumped soon after, making it difficult to work.
"Probably close to thousands of dollars on fly stuff just trying to contain all the flies. They just kept coming," Meyer said. "I just wish there's a different way to go about this."
Cold Spring Egg Farm, which is navigating these cases of bird flu, says it is following guidance from state and federal authorities to prevent disease from spreading.
See Cold Spring Egg Farm's full statement below.
“We have a positive detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, called HPAI or bird flu, on our Cold Spring Egg Farm. This is a terribly difficult time for our team as we address this devastating disease affecting our flocks. Unfortunately, our flock of pullets, or young hens, on a farm site close by, also has had a positive detection.
“Our response is being directed by state and federal animal health authorities, and our farm is following their guidance. Our birds are being depopulated as required by USDA to prevent the spread of HPAI to neighboring farms, and birds will be composted on our own land under the supervision of government officials.
“We are committed to being responsible in our actions and doing what’s right for our team and our community as we work through this situation in close collaboration with state and federal regulators.”
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