Barron County Sees First Possible Human Bird Flu Case in State

A Barron County worker is the first human in the state to have a presumptive positive test for the highly pathogenic avian influenza A.

According to a press release from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the first possible human case in the state was reported just days after the first confirmed infection in a poultry flock. Since then, another positive test in a recreational flock was confirmed in Kenosha County.

Health officials say the person had been in contact with the infected flock, and they’re monitoring all of the farm workers who may have been exposed to the virus.

The Barron County case was initially identified through testing at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene and the sample has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. The highly contagious virus does not spread as easily from animals to humans, and typically requires people to come into direct contact with the infected bird to spread.

In humans, the virus will usually produce flu-like symptoms including a fever, sore throat, muscle aches, eye infections, and a cough. Anybody who shows symptoms like those should contact their healthcare provider and avoid the general public if possible. The virus is far more lethal and contagious for poultry flocks.

According to the Department of Health Services, the virus has been spreading throughout North America since 2021. Health agencies have recently implemented new testing standards and regulations for poultry flocks and cattle, specifically when those animals are being displayed at a fair or being transported across state lines. With the first confirmed positive tests in the state, samples from Wisconsin farm animals will be taken more often.