Gabby Vinick

Wisconsin Public Radio

https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2022/11/15/experts-sound-the-alarm-about-bird-flu-after-detected-in-2-counties/69648766007/

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Avian influenza is continuing to crop up in Wisconsindespite effortsto control its spread.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection detected the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in eight birds in Marathon and 15 birds in Waukesha countiesthis month. The state has identified 18 counties this year with HPAI in domestic birds, such as chickens, turkeys or peacocks.

While it’s known as “the bird flu,” HPAI posesa low risk to the general public, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Given the kind of environment we have in Wisconsin with a lot of waterways, we just have a high population of wild waterfowl and more potential for that virus, for local birds to come in contact,” said Dr. Darlene Konkle, a veterinarian with Wisconsin’s DATCP. Those include ducks…