• More bird flu found in Wisconsin commercial poultry flocks

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

HEALTH

BY Rachel Ryan and Jason Fechner Wisconsin

UPDATED 2:53 PM ET Mar. 06, 2026 PUBLISHED 9:47 AM ET Mar. 06, 2026

WISCONSIN — Bird flu has been confirmed in two separate commercial poultry flocks in the state, according to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

One of the flocks is in Jefferson County and contains around 1.6 million birds. The other is in Walworth County, with a flock of nearly 1.5 million.

What You Need To Know

The third and fourth cases of bird flu have been confirmed in WisconsinOne of the flocks is in Jefferson County and contains around 1.6 million birds. The other is in Walworth County, with a flock of nearly 1.5 million
This is already the second case in a commercial flock in Jefferson County this year, but the first for Walworth County
In both new confirmations, DATCP said flocks have been quarantined and birds on the property were depopulated to prevent spread

This is already the second case in a commercial flock in Jefferson County this year, but the first for Walworth County. The other flock in Jefferson County with bird flu consisted of 1.2 million poultry.

Overall, there have now been four cases of bird flu in either commercial or backyard poultry flocks this year. All confirmed cases in 2026 have been within the last couple of weeks.

In both new confirmations, DATCP said flocks have been quarantined and birds on the property were depopulated to prevent spread.

The highly contagious sickness has been circulating in North America since Dec. 2021. It’s often fatal to domestic poultry and is caused by influenza type A viruses, according to DATCP. It can be spread when coming in contact with an infected bird or “commingling with wild birds or their droppings, equipment, or clothing worn by anyone working with the animals.”

Here are some symptoms to watch out for, according to DATCP:

• Sudden death without clinical signs
• Lack of energy or appetite
• Decrease in egg production; soft, misshapen eggs
• Purple discoloration of wattles, comb and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Runny nose, coughing, sneezing
• Stumbling or falling down
• Diarrhea

Last year, there were five cases in the state, two of which were in commercial flocks and three in backyard flocks. 

More bird flu found in Wisconsin commercial poultry flocks

Also see:

Bird flu cases confirmed in Jefferson, Walworth counties; millions of birds to be culled | Exposing the Big Game

• Chad Thompson
• Mar 6, 2026 Updated 4 hrs ago
• Bird flu cases confirmed in Jefferson, Walworth counties; millions of birds to be culled | News | wkow.com

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MADISON (WKOW) — Bird flu is impacting two commercial poultry flocks in southern Wisconsin. 

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Jefferson and Walworth counties. The cases were identified on Wednesday.

DATCP’s data page shows 1,621,847 birds affected in a Jefferson County commercial poultry flock. It shows 1,493,596 birds affected in a commercial poultry flock in Walworth County.

The discovery has prompted immediate action to prevent the spread of the virus.

A separate case involving 1,219,988 birds was reported in a commercial flock in Jefferson County in late February.

DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working together on a joint incident response. The affected premises have been quarantined, and the birds will be culled to stop the disease from spreading, according to a press release. Officials assure that birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

The H5N1 HPAI virus, which has been present in North America since December 2021, is highly contagious and often deadly to domestic poultry. The virus spreads through contact with infected birds or contaminated equipment and clothing.

DATCP is urging all livestock owners to adopt strong biosecurity measures. This includes washing hands, disinfecting equipment, and keeping new flock members separated for at least 30 days. Poultry owners are advised to keep birds indoors when possible.

A control area is established within a 10-kilometer radius around the infected site, restricting poultry movement. Poultry owners can use DATCP’s mapping tool to check if they are in an active control area.

Despite the outbreak, the risk to the general public remains low. Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Walworth County Public Health are monitoring farm workers for symptoms.

For more information on prevention and updates, visit the DATCP’s HPAI in Poultry webpage.

An estimated 726,000 migratory songbirds were illegally trapped and killed in Cyprus during autumn 2025, according to a new report published by BirdLife Cyprus.

Species affected included Blackcap, Common Redstart, Common Whitethroat and Willow Warbler, many caught using mistnets and limesticks across survey areas that included land within the Sovereign Base Areas. 

Cyprus lies on a crucial migration route between Europe and Africa, making it particularly vulnerable to large-scale illegal trapping. Criminal groups use electronic calling devices to lure birds into trapping sites, with the carcasses sold illegally to restaurants in the Republic of Cyprus for the traditional dish ambelopoulia, or for private consumption. The Cyprus Game and Fauna Service estimates the trade is worth around €10 million annually.

Masses of Blackcaps are killed in Cyprus every autumn (Guy Shorrock).

Ups and downs

While overall mistnet use rose by only 4% compared with autumn 2024, the report revealed sharp regional contrasts. In the Eastern Sovereign Base Areas, mistnet trapping increased by 55%, following a shift by police from regular night patrols to more reactive enforcement.

Most concerning was renewed activity at Cape Pyla, a long-standing hot-spot where trapping had not been recorded since 2019.

By contrast, mistnet trapping in the Republic of Cyprus fell by 47%. BirdLife Cyprus attributed this decline partly to targeted police action against three organised trapping sites in the Larnaca district after international attention brought by Chris Packham working with Committee Against Bird Slaughter.

Cypriot police carried out eight co-ordinated raids, issuing fines exceeding €157,000. In one case, some 1,000 dead birds were found packaged for sale, alongside drugs and weapons.

Targeted enforcement working

BirdLife Cyprus’s Campaigns Co-ordinator, Tassos Shialis, stated: “Our findings for autumn 2025 send a very clear message. Consistent, visible and targeted enforcement works. When that deterrent presence weakens, illegal trapping rebounds.

“Moreover, the recent arson attacks on cars of the Game and Fauna Service are a clear indication that illegal bird trapping and poaching have turned into a lucrative business, and the lawbreakers will not hesitate to carry out attacks against game wardens and police officers.”

The RSPB said the findings demonstrate that consistent, visible enforcement remains the most effective deterrent against illegal bird trapping. Jake Zarins, Head of UK Overseas Territories programmes at the RSPB, commented: “The ongoing monitoring of illegal bird trapping carried out by BirdLife Cyprus clearly illustrates the most effective ways of preventing such criminality is through persistent and visible deterrents.

“The efforts of the Sovereign Base Areas police force over many years have helped drastically reduce the incidence of bird trapping within the SBAs and the RSPB, while appreciate of this work, is keen to ensure that policing of these illegal activities remains a priority alongside other growing demands for policing resources.”

Illegal trapping kills more than 700,000 songbirds in Cyprus in autumn 2025 – BirdGuides