State Veterinarian Says Avian Flu Resurgence Looks Unlikely

Wisconsin’s state veterinarian is cautiously optimistic that a second round of avian flu hasn’t yet hit the state’s poultry farms.

All throughout the spring outbreak of the deadly strain of avian flu, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warned that it could return to Wisconsin poultry farms in the fall. But so far, the state’s top veterinary official says the bird flu hasn’t shown up.

“I don’t know that we can really ever say we’re in the clear, but the good news is that it has not been widely detected in the wild birds that are migrating south,” said Dr. Paul McGraw.

It’s nevertheless possible, McGraw said, that the migration of ducks and geese may not be finished due to unseasonably warm weather. He said he’s hopeful that improved biosecurity measures at poultry farms will reduce the impact if or when another bird flu outbreak occurs.