DATCP confirms case of avian influenza in Racine County

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – State officials have confirmed they have identified a highly contagious case of avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) in a backyard poultry flock in Racine County.

The diseased birds were identified on Oct. 9. According to a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) news release, the affected birds were depopulated at the site to prevent the disease from spreading. The likelihood of humans contracting the virus is low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but it can be fatal for birds.

When HPAI H5N1 is identified in backyard poultry flock, risk factors are evaluated, and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone can be established.

The DATCP encourages livestock owners to utilize biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from disease. Preventative measures include:

• Washing hands
• Disinfecting equipment
• Restricting access to animals
• Separating new additions to the flock or herd for at least 30 days

In Wisconsin, there have been four confirmed cases of avian influenza in 2025, matching 2024’s total cases. Over three million state poultry birds were affected by the disease in 2025 – a drastic increase from just over 73,000 in 2024.