DNR confirms bird flu from Milwaukee duck in Madison laboratory
MADISON, Wis. -- A wild merganser collected Milwaukee County died from the highly contagious avian flu, the DNR confirmed Friday. A merganser, also known as a duck, was taken by the DNR to the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison to test it for bird flu. The test results came out positive.
As reported by our Milwaukee affiliate CBS 58 early February, hundreds of dead birds were along Lake Michigan's shoreline. Although rare, bird flu is transmissible to humans. This virus has been detected in Dane County since mid-December, the DNR reported. Canada geese and swans are the most impacted.
"It is important to remember that avian influenza is still present in Wisconsin, and we are seeing it affect birds in isolated areas around the state," said DNR Wildlife Health Supervisor, Jasmine Batten. "However, this winter's HPAI detections in wild birds have remained relatively low. The best advice we can give is to remain aware and avoid handling wild birds as much as possible."
If you must touch a dead bird, follow guidance provided on the DNR’s Avian Influenza webpage. More information on HPAI and public health can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services' Avian Influenza A Virus webpage. The DNR asks those who spot dead birds to report in groups of five or more dead wild birds. DNR staff will decide on whether they will collect a sample depending on each case. The public can report sick or dead wild birds through the DNR’s Sick or Dead Bird Reporting Form or by contacting the Wildlife Switchboard at DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or (608) 267-0866
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