Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation to prevent transmission of wildlife diseases like avian flu and chronic wasting disease between wildlife, livestock, and humans. The Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act increases interagency coordination, facilitates information sharing, improves coordination between states, and furthers sharing of best practices for managing wildlife and zoonotic disease outbreaks.
“Wisconsin farmers have dealt with the devastating fallout of avian flu and chronic wasting disease for far too long,” said Senator Baldwin. “These diseases don’t just threaten our deer herds and poultry flocks – they put our food supply, our rural economy, and public health at risk. That’s why I am introducing this bill to ensure that our state has the tools it needs to monitor and manage outbreaks, support our farmers, and protect our rural communities.”
History
Since March 2022, Wisconsin has lost 11.6 million birds across 50 commercial and backyard flocks due to outbreaks of avian influenza. Between late February and March of this year, Wisconsin experienced three major avian flu outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks, affecting more than 4.3 million egg-laying hens. As a result, two Wisconsin farms were forced to temporarily lay off more than 80 employees. Chronic Wasting Disease also remains an increasing concern in Wisconsin. Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in both captive and wild animals in most Wisconsin counties since its original incursion, and, in 2025, it was detected in wild deer populations across 51 Wisconsin counties.
Addressing these outbreaks is not just important for protecting wildlife and our agricultural industries, but also for Wisconsinites’ health. Three out of every four new or emerging infectious diseases in human populations originate from animals. In March 2024, the first reported cow-to-human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was identified after the individual encountered herds believed to have been infected by wild birds.
How It Works
The Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act would take a proactive approach to disease outbreaks, establishing the Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Program. The program will establish and support four Regional Wildlife Health Coordinators, one National Wildlife Health Coordinator, and one Tribal Wildlife Health Coordinator to help increase communication between Federal agencies, States, and Tribes and facilitate more comprehensive and effective responses to current and emerging wildlife disease outbreaks. More specifically, the coordinators will:
- Establish relationships with relevant Federal agencies, States, and Indian Tribes.
- Facilitate information sharing about existing and emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks between States, Tribes, and Federal agencies (including USDA, FWS, and the CDC).
- Assist States and Tribes in applying for funding to work on wildlife disease issues.
- Coordinate between States, including state agencies that work on agriculture, environment, natural resources, and public health.
- Share best management practices for zoonotic disease management and prevention.
- Report to Congress on necessary resources and response activities for preventing and mitigating wildlife diseases.
The bill is supported by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Izaak Walton League, Midwest Dairy Coalition, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, National Deer Association, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, National Wildlife Federation, Organic Trade Association, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Wisconsin Game Preserve Association, Wisconsin Pork Producers Association, and Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.
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