Bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows. There have been several human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers. Human-to-human spread of bird flu has not been observed and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the current public health risk to be LOW. The CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures using its flu surveillance systems.

Read more about the bird flu (H5N1) from the CDC here. 



How the public can protect against bird flu 

• Hygiene  
  • Wash your hands frequently and make a conscious effort to not touch your face. 
  • Wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, then rinse and dry. 
• Healthy Choices  
  • Stay up to date on your seasonal vaccines to reduce the risk of severe illness from other respiratory diseases. 
  • Avoid raw milk or products made with raw milk that have not been pasteurized. Pasteurized products are safe because pasteurization kills any viruses or bacteria that may have gotten into the milk. 
• Caution  
  • Avoid handling wild birds and report dead or sick birds to the DNR using its Sick or Dead Bird Reporting Form.  
  • Can also email DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov or call (608) 267-0866 and leave a voicemail for DNR staff. 

How those who work with animals can protect against bird flu 

• Hygiene  
  • Keep HPAI or other germs from your eyes, nose and mouth.  
    • Wash hands thoroughly, immediately after working with animals, handling sick or dead animals, and before you take any breaks or eat. 
    • Avoid touching any part of your face while working with animals or anything that birds or cows have touched, including eggs and milk. (PPE can help. See below.) 
• Protection  
  • Use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) provided by your employer, if necessary.  
  • The CDC recommends PPE level based on level of exposure risk. 
• If you get sick  
  • Go to a clinic or your local public health agency if you contract flu-like symptoms or pink eye that you think might be related to your work with animals. Tell them what animals you work with, and that you would like to get tested for bird flu. They can also help you get medicine if needed. 
  • To keep others healthy, stay home while you are sick. If that’s not possible, carefully follow the hygiene and protection steps above and make any changes you can to reduce close contact with others until you’re well. 
  • Report animal illnesses to WI DATCP right away.