Caden Perry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated Wed, October 7, 2026 at 11:14 AM PDT
2 min read
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Avian influenza has been detected in a backyard chicken flock in Racine County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Officials said risk of the infection spreading is low for the general public.
The 121 chickens in the backyard operation and other poultry operations within 10 kilometers – roughly six miles – have been quarantined. This is the sixth avian flu case in Wisconsin this year and the fourth in Racine County since 2022.
There are no movement restrictions on poultry at this time, the department said. The last time poultry movement was restricted to slow infections in the spring, when millions of chickens were infected.
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Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a virus that infects poultry and waterfowl. Infections can spread from bird-to-bird contact and through manure, tools, equipment, vehicles and clothing.
Department officials believe the Racine County flock was infected via commingling of poultry with wild waterfowl.
More: Wisconsin respiratory illness rates rise but activity remains very low
In poultry, signs of avian flu infection include sudden death, misshapen eggs, coughing, sneezing, swelling, lack of energy, difficulty breathing, stumbling and diarrhea. Avian flu has a 90% to 100% mortality rate in poultry.
Commercial and backyard poultry handlers should always wash their hands before and after handling poultry, restrict access to wild birds, disinfect equipment and keep new birds separate from existing flocks for 30 days.
Humans can get sick from infected birds, but the current strain of avian flu does not easily spread from person to person.
If you suspect your poultry has been infected with avian flu, the department recommends contacting your district veterinarian immediately. Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0866.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Avian flu detected in Racine County backyard poultry flock
