Wisconsin reports first case of bird flu since March 2026

 

Headline:  Spectrum News 1, 9/15/2026

Cynthia Goldsmith and Jackie Katz report:

Avian flu has been found on a commercial poultry farm in Barron County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. 

There is a total of 79,088 birds on the farm, which is now being quarantined and depopulated. 

It’s the first case of avian flu in a poultry flock in the state since March and the fifth this year. All the previous cases were found in southern Wisconsin. 

Four of the five cases in 2026 were in commercial farms, two in Jefferson County, one in Walworth County, and now the new one in Barron County.

Related Wisconsin bird flu posts:

April 2026:

Odor of composting bird carcasses is not pleasing to residents of Palmyra Wisconsin.  (4/25)  

Wisconsin bird flu news:  Depopulation of chickens leads to layoffs at two Daybreak Foods facilities.  (4/1)  

March 2026:

Jefferson County Wisconsin experiences residual effect of bird flu:  Thousands of gallons of spilled wastewater.  (3/24)

Sounds like Wisconsin Republicans want to sell public lands to CAFOs to bury millions of chickens infected with bird flu.  (3/17)

Wisconsin bird flu update:  3 million dead chickens composting in your neighborhood is not a pleasant experience.  (3/15)

Wisconsin puts poultry shows and exhibitions on hold in 20 southern counties due to recent bird flu outbreak.  (3/14)

3.1 million chickens zapped by bird flu at two CAFOs in southeast Wisconsin.  (3/6)

Backyard case of bird flu reported in Dane County Wisconsin.  (3/5)

October 2025

Avian flu threat results in cancellation of Wisconsin poultry show.  (10/11)

Jefferson County Wisconsin reports second case of avian flu in less than a week.  (10/3)

September 2025

That Jefferson County Wisconsin farm lost more than 3 million laying hens.  (9/30)

Wisconsin reports first 2025 commercial case of avian flu in poultry flock without providing any specifics.  (9/29)

April-August 2025

Wisconsin put poultry shows and exhibitions on hold in 20 southern counties