Wisconsin Bird Flu state of emergency was declared by the state's Governor Scott Walker starting Monday following Bird Flu scare attacking Wisconsin poultry flocks of chickens and turkeys.
Wisconsin Bird Flu has affected three counties- Jefferson, Juneau and Barron. In order to hasten the response and cleaning up on dead birds, Gov. Walker delegated the Wisconsin National Guard to assist the authorities. The agreement was signed Executive Order #156 on Monday, April 20, the Fox6 reports.
"We must act quickly and efficiently to contain the outbreak and protect domestic poultry," Walker said in a statement. "It is important to note, however, there is no threat to humans with the avian flu outbreak."
Wisconsin Bird Flu known as the avian influenza virus was identified this month by the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection officials. The state is one of the dozens of states infected with outbreak of H5N2 bird flu that kills poultry.
The National Guard who will be helping the authorities assigns a team consisting of up to 14 men and women who will lead the clean up and control of bird flu infected areas, the Journal Sentinel reports.
According to the NBC News report, before Wisconsin Bird Flu was reported in the state, H5N2 strain has hit 12 U.S. states including flocks in Washington, Minnesota, Oregon, Idaho, Arkansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Wisconsin Bird Flu can kill thousands of entire flocks in a matter of two days.
There are various types of avian influenza virus that can affect and kill birds. H5N2, the strain bringing Wisconsin Bird Flu is much like as H5N8 strains that regarded as less harmful to people. However, people can also be infected by catching flu from animals.
H5N1 bird flu is the most dangerous strain that has been detected in the world. It has killed over 400 people and has infected over 780 people across 16 countries, according to the World Health Organization.
H5N1 was discovered in 2003 and since then high alert has been raised in ensuring safety of everyone against any type of avian influenza virus.
Before the Wisconsin Bird Flu was detected, the USDA has assigned more or less 60 people in the state of Minnesota in recent weeks in order to respond to the emerging bird flu infestation. Business Insider reported that Minnesota is one of the states that has high incidence of bird flu.
As Wisconsin Bird Flu becomes headline, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there is low risk for human to be infected. There are also no reported cases of human infected with bird flu outbreak.
Wisconsin Bird Flu has affected a total of roughly 326,000 birds including turkeys, chickens at an egg-laying facility and backyard flock of mixed-breed birds.
Everyone must be aware of Wisconsin Bird Flu and how everyone can be safeguarded from the outbreak.
The Wisconsin government warns not to touch a sick or dead bird. It is also important to report incidences of Wisconsin Bird Flu at DATCP's Division of Animal Health at 1-800-572-8981 for domestic birds or call the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-433-1810 for wild birds.
