Door County cormorants test positive for disease that can spread to poultry

Animal health officials warned Wisconsin poultry farmers and backyard hobbyists Friday that double-crested cormorants on two islands off the Door County peninsula tested positive for a virulent form of Newcastle disease.
The virus infects only birds and poses no nfl jerseys threat to humans, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
"The virulent form of Newcastle disease can be transmitted to domesticated poultry, creating hardship for those producers and probably causing other nations to close their doors to poultry and poultry products," State Veterinarian Robert Ehlenfeldt said in a statement.
"While previous outbreaks in the United States have spread to domestic poultry only once, we do want poultry owners to be aware of the potential."
The disease was found during routine testing of Super Bowl XLIV jersey dead birds found on Pilot and Spider islands.
In three previous outbreaks, including one in 2006 on Pilot Island, the disease did not spread to domestic poultry.
Anyone who finds a dead cormorant should call the Wisconsin Dead Bird Reporting Hotline, (800) 433-1610.