A bald eagle takes flight in December 2021 from the branch of an oak tree at Olin-Turville Park, along the open-water shoreline of Lake Monona. Researchers just discovered bird flu in a bald eagle from Dane County, as well as other bird species across southern Wisconsin.
A highly contagious avian flu that is deadly to bird populations on farms and in zoos has been confirmed in several wild bird species across Wisconsin, the state Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday.
This strain of “highly pathogenic avian influenza,” called EA H5N1, has already resulted in the euthanizing of nearly three million chickens on a farm in Jefferson County. The continued spread of the virus in Wisconsin could threaten birds in zoos, pet birds, and the egg and poultry industry. The strain is not as dangerous for the wild birds that spread it, according to researchers.
Dane County’s Vilas Zoo closed its bird exhibits last week because of the outbreak.
On Thursday, the Department of Natural Resources said the strain has been found in a Cooper’s hawk and bald eagle from Dane County, a lesser scaup from Columbia County, a red-tailed hawk from Grant County, a Canada goose from Milwaukee County and a trumpeter swan from Polk County.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center had previously found preliminary evidence of wild birds in Wisconsin being positive for the virus. Those suspicions were confirmed on Wednesday and Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
The first known case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza was discovered March 14 at the Jefferson County chicken farm where a few million chickens were euthanized to prevent further spread. The case was discovered by UW-Madison researchers with the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
This strain of the virus has not been spreading to humans, but could lead to the euthanizing of millions of birds across the U.S., likely raising prices in the egg and poultry industry, according to the researchers. The lab is working to identify cases and control the spread. The DNR is also increasing efforts to identify cases.
Vilas Zoo is taking extra precautions to protect its penguins, flamingos, chickens and sandhill cranes. Most have been moved inside to the aviary, which is closed to the public. Flamingos are still visible through a viewing window. The sandhill cranes have been moved to a local animal hospital.
Vilas Zoo spokesperson Kristin Moala said the bird flu is mainly spread through waterfowl, which Dane County has a lot of because of the lakes. The virus could get tracked into the zoo on people’s shoes, she said.
The DNR is asking residents to call if they see waterfowl, raptors such as eagles, or avian scavengers such as crows, ravens and gulls displaying tremors, circling movement or holding their heads in strange positions. Residents are also asked not to touch sick or dead birds.
Anyone can report birds with signs of avian flu by emailing [email protected] or calling 608-267-0866.
Art of the everyday: See the world through the eyes of the Wisconsin State Journal’s photographers
febphotos01-03092022163749
Members of Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association perform traditional Chinese lion dancing in celebration of the Lunar New Year at Lisa Link Peace Park on State Street in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos02-03092022163749
Third graders leave the classroom to wash their hands after working on a project involving paint at One City Elementary School on West Broadway in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos03-03092022163749
Workers with UW-Madison’s Outdoor UW organization work to secure an inflatable, to-scale replica of a portion of the Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wis., Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Continuing a similar tradition that was started more than 40 years ago as a prank by former UW Student Association members, the display is part of the university’s winter carnival event. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos04-03092022163749
A limestone sculpture titled “Blu³eprint” of UW-Madison professor Faisal Abdu’Allah, second from left, is unveiled outside the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art on State Street during an event in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos05-03092022163749
Barbara Behling, of Sun Prairie, poses for a selfie with Jimmy the ground hog following the 74th Annual Sun Prairie Groundhog Day Prognostication ceremony at Cannery Square in Sun Prairie, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. “I’m a big Jimmy fan,” Behling said, “I’ve been coming here for years.” KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos06-03092022163749
Chelsea Updike, of Madison, with Off Leash K9 Training, takes a photo of her dog, Kai, 3, at right, and Hank, 7 months, both cattle dog mixes, outside the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos07-03092022163749
Katherine Krska, left, walks arm in arm with Ender Erk as they view the Orchid Escape display scattered throughout the Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wis., Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. The exhibit runs until the end of the month. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos08-03092022163749
A sky diver with Seven Hills Sky Diving descends behind the tail of a kite during the 2022 Frozen Assets festival on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Sponsored by the Clean Lakes Alliance, the annual festival encourages area residents to enjoy one of the area’s important natural assets and has raised $1,200,000 for lake improvement projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos09-03092022163749
Amos Mayberry harvests kale inside a hoop house at Snug Haven Farm in Belleville, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos10-03092022164422
Gov. Tony Evers in a conference room at his office at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos11-03092022164422
Students at UW-Madison walk through the light-filled atrium of the campus’ new Chemistry Building in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos12-03092022164422
Drum circle participant Amber Stuedell dances on the frozen surface of Lake Monona near Olbrich Park in Madison, Wis., Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. Organized by the Madison Area Drum/Dance/Chant Circle group, the weekly two hour improvisational gatherings include singing, dancing, and the playing of a variety of percussion and musical instruments. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos13-03092022164422
Amansu Eason presents a dance piece during Moonshine, a traditional performance gathering in celebration of Black History Month presented by UW-Madison’s School of Dance on the campus in Madison, Wis., Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. The annual event features spoken word, dance and music performances by students, faculty and alumni of the university’s arts programs. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos14-03092022164422
Using movement as a way to express his faith, Jonathan “King David” Person of Madison, Wis. spins near artist William King’s “Act” sculpture at Olbrich Park in the city Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. A member of the Israelite faith, Person said he often performs his worship in public spaces as a way to share his devotion. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos15-03092022164422
Mane Morris, center, talks to news media during a demonstration at the intersection of Eastpark Boulevard and American Parkway, the location where Quadren Wilson, Morris’s brother, was shot by law enforcement in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos16-03092022164422
Qinlei Zhang, left, and Andrew Liu, UW-Madison students from China, display signs of peace to passersby on Bascom Hill in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos17-03092022164422
Photographer Alessandra Sanguinetti, pictured at the Humbird Hotel in Humbird, Wis., Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos18-03092022164422
Deana Thorson, general manager of Market Square Theatre and has been an employee there for 28 years, shows one of the auditoriums at the theater that has permanently closed after 33 years, on Odana Road in Madison, Wis., Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos19-03092022164422
Jeanette Benedict, center left, plays with Neera Carmosino following snack time at Cuddle Bugs Infant Care in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos20-03092022164422
Middleton 400 yard freestyle relay team members Venden Berge, Jack Madigan, center, and Jack Madoch right, react as teammate Nick Chirafisi swims the anchor leg to the team’s first place finish in the event at the WIAA State Swimming Championships at Waukesha South High School in Waukesha, Wis., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos21-03092022164422
Family and friends, from left, Easton Kammerud, Shania Sarbacker holding Slayer McCullick, Chakayla Stank and Cyntanah Nafzger cheer on Mineral Point’s Trapper Nafzger during Division 3 preliminary matches at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos22-03092022164422
Verona goalkeeper Owen Hebgen, left, fist bumps teammate Isaac Thomas (25) as they prepare to take on Edgewood at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos23-03092022164422
Wisconsin guard Brad Davison (34) scores under coverage by Rutgers forward Ron Harper Jr. (24) during the second half at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos24-03092022164422
Lodi’s Zane Licht reacts after his win against Portage’s Lowell Arnold in a Division 2 152-pound championship match during the WIAA Individual Wrestling State Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos25-03092022164422
A referee calculates points as Random Lake’s David San Felippo, top, wrestles Horicon’s Austin Zamorano during a 126 pound Division 3 preliminary match at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
febphotos26-03092022164422
Wisconsin head coach Marisa Moseley looks over her notes as the Badgers prepare to take on Nebraska at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. KAYLA WOLF, STATE JOURNAL
Get local news delivered to your inbox!