Press Release: As Bird-Migration Season Returns, Jefferson County Health Department Shares Preparations for Avian Influenza

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2026

JEFFERSON, Wis. -- The Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) has undertaken several precautionary action items to aid in the detection and containment of avian flu as the fall bird-migration season increases the risk of disease activity. Although Jefferson County has no current avian flu cases, two counties have reported cases in recent months: Barron County in September and Racine County in October.

JCHD has remained in close contact with flock owners and is monitoring water sources near past outbreak sites to detect any local disease activity quickly. This includes regular communication with and biosecurity advice for commercial and backyard flock owners, as well as groundwater and surface water testing to check for contamination from virus shedding.

The Health Department has updated its avian flu processes and training and continues to refine its response plans with the latest expert guidance, including:

• Remaining current on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidance for monitoring, sampling, and laboratory procedures across human health settings.
• Maintaining established processes for laboratory testing of exposed individuals.
• Participating in ongoing training on personal protective equipment (PPE) use and outbreak response best practices.
• Preparing, in collaboration with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the CDC, to actively monitor individuals with potential exposure for symptoms and ensure timely, appropriate follow-up.

In addition, County leaders have called on the state of Wisconsin to help strengthen responses to avian flu outbreaks. The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution titled “Urging the Wisconsin Legislature and State Agencies to Strengthen the State of Wisconsin’s Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” earlier this year and submitted it to the Wisconsin Counties Association, where it was approved as part of their policy platform. The resolution called for these changes:

• Expanding access to poultry-vaccination programs
• Reviewing and modernizing composting regulations
• Evaluating and supporting incineration options
• Evaluating alternatives to whole-flock depopulation and on-site composting
• Requiring Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) to file and keep current
  mass-mortality plans that also include risk assessments
• Strengthening protections for groundwater and drinking water wells

Jefferson County officials request that residents contact their state officials to support these policy items as well.

For more information, please visit https://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/health_department/index.php or contact the Jefferson County Health Department at 920-674-7275 or health@jeffersoncountywi.gov.

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