Illinois “Unaffected” by Avian Influenza 

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The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have announced that the US Department of Agriculture has declared Illinois to be “unaffected” by H5N1 avian influenza, a recognition of the state’s efforts working with local health departments, dairy farms, and agricultural organizations to keep the illness from impacting the state’s dairy supply. The USDA defines “unaffected” as “Ongoing testing and surveillance activities demonstrate absence of disease in dairy cattle in the state.”

At the same time, the agencies are reminding the public that with migration season underway, infected wild birds may be found in Illinois, and stressed the need for appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of H5N1.