Avian Flu Strikes Two Major Poultry Farms in Wisconsin
In a concerning development for Wisconsin’s poultry industry, two large commercial farms in the southeastern region are grappling with avian influenza outbreaks. Each facility, housing about 1.5 million birds, is set to cull its entire flock.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced the discovery of the virus in Walworth County, marking the area’s first case since the virus began affecting local farms in 2022. Jefferson County has also reported a case, marking its second this year and the state’s fourth in just over a week.
“We’ve seen this before, so it’s not entirely new,” commented Ron Kean, a poultry specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He noted the significance due to the large percentage of the state’s egg production involved. “But it’s a pretty large percentage of our egg production in the state, so I think from that aspect it’s noteworthy.”
Previous avian flu outbreaks have contributed to rising egg prices in the U.S., drawing concern from consumers nationwide.
Kean cautioned that the recent cluster of cases doesn’t necessarily predict an intensified avian flu season. The virus, continuing to circulate among wild birds since its emergence in 2022, causes sporadic outbreaks in farms across Wisconsin and the nation. State officials are also examining potential connections among the recent cases.
Despite requests, DATCP declined to provide an interview regarding the latest outbreaks.
Jefferson County has recorded six avian flu cases over the past four years. One farm currently addressing an outbreak was previously impacted in 2025, according to county health director Elizabeth McGeary. She shared that managing last year’s outbreak, including the safe culling and disposal of infected birds, strained local resources and raised public health and environmental concerns.
“The response scale was huge,” McGeary stated. “There were millions of birds. There were a lot of different transport volumes and issues. The composting footprint was really enormous, and it required substantial local government time and coordination.”
McGeary and the Jefferson County Board of Health have petitioned state lawmakers for regulatory reforms and increased resources for avian flu responses. Their appeal emphasizes the need for better groundwater monitoring near composting sites for culled birds.
“Rural communities rely on private wells, and this large-scale composting and disposal really increases our population to potentially be at risk for contaminated water,” McGeary explained. She suggested that pre-identifying compost locations could enhance public health protection.
Frustration is also mounting among poultry producers due to the absence of effective solutions for avian flu outbreaks. Kean highlighted the need for advancements in vaccination strategies, despite international trade restrictions complicating vaccine rollout plans. “There’s going to have to be more work on vaccination, which is a big international political issue,” he noted.
While the U.S. remains cautious, countries like France and Britain are advancing toward bird vaccination in response to avian flu.
