Avian Flu Detected In Will County Geese, Poultry Producers Warned

WILL COUNTY, IL — The first case of highly pathogenic avian flu in Illinois has been detected in three Canada geese found in Will County, the Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced.

The three geese, found in the county earlier this month, were submitted for testing on March 2, state officials said, and results of the testing confirmed the presence of Avian flu on Thursday by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services at the national lab.

State officials said that early detections of the avian flu have been found throughout the country since the early part of 2022. Although Illinois has not seen any avian flu in any backyard or commercial poultry within the state this year, this finding demonstrates that the virus is present and may be circulating within the wild bird population in Illinois, according to a news release.

State officials said that anyone that owns birds or is involved with poultry production, either on a small or commercial level, should be aware of this finding and take precautions to protect their flock, state officials announced.

Poultry producers and owners should review their biosecurity plans and prevent contact with wild birds and their droppings, and officials also strongly encourage all producers to keep birds indoors when possible.

Flock owners, managers, or veterinarians should also report any unusual findings in poultry such as an increase in mortality, decrease in water consumption, decrease in egg production, or respiratory signs including coughing and sneezing immediately to the Department of Agriculture at (217) 782-4944 or the USDA at (866) 536-7593.