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DATCP Notice regarding Avian Flu – Notice Date: 3/6/26: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Jefferson County ​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 6, 2026Contact: Sam GO, Communications Director, (608) 334-0220, [email protected]   Download PDF   MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County. DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system. The H5N1 HPAI virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. H5N1 HPAI viruses are highly contagious and often fatal to domestic poultry. Caused by influenza type A viruses, the disease varies in severity depending on the strain and species affected. The disease can be spread by contact with infected birds, commingling with wild birds or their droppings, equipment, or clothing worn by anyone working with the animals. DATCP continues to urge all livestock owners to implement strong biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from the disease. This includes washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals, and separating new additions to the flock or herd for at least 30 days. Poultry owners are asked, when possible, to keep their birds indoors. When HPAI is diagnosed in a Wisconsin poultry flock, a control area is established within a 10 kilometer area around the infected premises, restricting movement on or off any premises with poultry. To help producers determine if their poultry are located within an active control area or surveillance zone, poultry owners are encouraged to use DATCP's mapping tool. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Jefferson County Public Health are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms. The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low. Prevention information for farmworkers or others who have close contact with birds, dairy cows, or other relevant animals can be found under https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/occupational-health/farm-health.htm. DATCP reminds Wisconsin livestock owners to register their premises. State law requires that all livestock owners register where their animals are kept. Registration helps animal health officials communicate with flock and herd owners during disease outbreaks. To report increased mortality or signs of illness among domestic birds, dairy cattle, or other animals, contact a DATCP district veterinarian. For updates on how the virus is affecting domestic birds in Wisconsin, and to find resources on protecting Wisconsin poultry, visit DATCP's HPAI in Poultry webpage: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HPAIWisconsin.aspx. H5N1 in Other Species The HPAI H5N1 virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. Since that time, the H5N1 virus has also affected other species, including mammalian species. Wisconsin previously identified an H5N1 infection in one dairy herd in the state last year. The quarantine was released for that farm. DATCP continues to work with USDA to conduct testing for H5N1, encourage biosecurity, and provide resources to producers. For updates on how the H5N1 virus is affecting dairy cattle across the country, and to find resources on protecting Wisconsin dairy cattle, visit DATCP's H5N1 in Dairy Cattle webpage: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/AvianInfluenzaCattle.aspx.  

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Proclamation Declaring Emergency Zion Road Closure

 

Town Chairman’s Proclamation of State of Emergency

WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection maintains monitoring of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI); and

WHEREAS, HPAI has been detected in a commercial poultry flock located within the Town of Palmyra; and

WHEREAS, HPAI is a highly infectious disease caused by an influenza A virus that infects domestic waterfowl and poultry, that is spread quickly by direct bird-to-bird contact and can be carried by manure, tools, equipment, vehicles, clothing, and shoes; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Palmyra is focused on protecting the health, welfare, and good order of the Town of Palmyra and the surrounding community, and

WHEREAS, the conditions created by the recently confirmed case of HPAI pose a continuing and substantial threat to the public order, health, and safety of the citizens of the Town of Palmyra; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Palmyra, in cooperation with the local, state, and federal governmental entities, desires to take action to prevent further exposure to and spread of HPAI; and

WHEREAS, because of such emergency conditions that exist due to the recent and local confirmation of HPAI, and because the Town Board has been unable to meet to address the immediate issues; and

WHEREAS, these emergency conditions require a proactive response to support and implement federal, state, and county public health operations and recommendations;

NOW, THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 323.11, to close Zion Road, in the Town of Palmyra, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, from its intersection with Hooper Road to its intersection with the Town of Palmyra municipal boundary (near the intersection of CTH CI). This order shall automatically expire on May 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., unless extended. During this state of emergency, it is hereby ordered that the Town of Palmyra will make all resources available to support the actions and recommendations of federal, state, and county public health agencies,

 AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the following be adopted:

To preserve the assets of the Town of Palmyra, provide for orderly transportation routes, and to safeguard the public from the operations required to respond to this emergency, Exhibit A, the approved trucking route recommended and adopted by the Town of Palmyra Board of Supervisors. Any deviation from the outlined trucking routes will subject the offending party to any and all applicable penalties available under Wisconsin law.

 

This proclamation shall take effect immediately upon signing and shall continue until May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. or until such earlier time as a quorum of the Town Board convenes and ratifies, rescinds, alters, or otherwise modifies this proclamation.

 

Dated this 5th day of March, 2026

 

Rob Martens, Town Chairman

 

Attest:

Michele Smith, Town Clerk/Treasurer

 

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