Avian Influenza Surveillance Efforts

2007 Surveillance Efforts

As of February 8, 2008 the WDNR has collected samples from over 600 birds of 40 different species. Ongoing dead bird sampling includes 130 samples from 39 different species.
Click on a region for sampling details (PDF)

As part of an ongoing nationwide effort, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), working in partnership with the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, is surveying wild birds for highly pathogenic avian influenza, especially H5N1. As in previous years, samples are being collected from groups of dead birds reported by the public, captured live birds, and waterfowl harvested by hunters. This year, a greater emphasis is being placed on collecting samples from birds that are found sick or dead, especially water birds. Asian and European data shows that the vast majority of highly pathogenic H5N1 detected in wild birds has been found in dead or sick birds. The plan for sampling hunter harvested waterfowl is focused on working with hunters in September and October in areas where waterfowl are known to concentrate, such as Grand River Marsh and Horicon Marsh.

From April 2007 to date, the WDNR has collected samples from over 600 birds representing over 40 different species. Of these samples, over 130 were collected from dead or sick birds representing 39 different species. In addition, samples have been collected from approximately 220 live captured birds. Approximately 190 of these samples were collected from three species of waterfowl captured during routine banding operations, and approximately 30 samples were collected from three species of birds captured during other routine DNR operations. In addition, approximately 250 hunter-harvested waterfowl have been sampled from three separate locations throughout the state. USDA-Wildlife Services has also collected samples from an additional 575 live captured or hunter harvested birds, comprising of 16 different species. To date, no evidence of highly-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been found in the birds sampled in the 2007 season.

The WDNR is also sampling birds such as pheasants, greater prairie chickens, and whooping cranes which are released into the wild for hunting or conservation programs. Sampling of birds released into the wild is critical to prevent the introduction or spread of pathogenic avian influenza viruses from captive or out of state sources into wild bird populations in Wisconsin.

2006 Surveillance Results

In 2006, Wisconsin screened over 2,000 samples from more than 44 different species of birds for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus throughout the state. Working in partnership with the USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, WDNR collected samples from groups of dead birds reported by the public, from captured live birds, and from waterfowl harvested in the fall by hunters. Bird species targeted for avian influenza sampling included shorebirds, waterfowl, and passerine species that move between Asia and North America. No evidence of highly-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza was found in the birds sampled in 2006.

Statewide shorebird sampling efforts began in late July. Sampling efforts focused on five main areas with high concentrations of migratory shorebirds. WDNR biologists and cooperators sampled 288 shorebirds of 13 different species. Waterfowl sampling began in mid-August. Sampling efforts occurred in conjunction with the waterfowl summer banding programs at three sites and hunter harvest checks at seven sites. WDNR biologists and cooperators sampled 1,610 waterfowl of 12 different species. Passerine sampling efforts began in late August at four banding stations. WDNR biologists and cooperators sampled 46 passerines of two different species. In addition, the WDNR and cooperators collected 58 samples from 17 different species from unexplained bird mortality events.

WDNR would like to thank all of the partners that helped with the 2006 AI surveillance efforts including: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Cedar Grove Ornithological Station, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, International Association of Scooter Shooters, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Woodland Dunes Nature Center, Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge, Urban Ecology Center, USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, and the Wisconsin hunting and wildlife rehabilitation communities!

Additional Information

Related Sites

Questions regarding Avian Influenza, please contact Wildlife Health

Questions for Wildlife Management

Last Revised: Wednesday March 05 2008

Avian Influenza Surveillance Efforts

2007 Surveillance Efforts

2006 Surveillance Results

Additional Information

Related Sites

Avian Influenza Updates

Information on Avian Influenza and People

Information on Avian Influenza and Wild and Domestic Birds