Bird flu outbreak claims more than 934,000 chickens in Clinton County
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Rose Acre Farms on Wesclin Road in Germantown had chickens affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza. Photos by Matt Wilson More than 934,000 chickens have been lost following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, at a commercial egg-producing facility in Clinton County.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the outbreak was confirmed Monday, Oct. 19, at a commercial table egg-laying operation, where 934,600 birds were affected by HPAI.
Tanya Espinosa with the USDA said that they do not publicly identify HPAI-affected producers, however, a Germantown official confirmed the outbreak occurred at Rose Acre Farms, located on Wesclin Road just outside the Germantown village limits.
HPAI is a severe highly contagious form of avian influenza, most commonly associated with H5N1. It causes mortality in poultry and has been detected in wild birds worldwide.
Large piles of compost contain the remains of chickens following the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza at a Clinton County poultry farm. There is no treatment for HPAI, so infected and exposed birds must be killed to contain the virus.
According to a press release, the Illinois Department of Agriculture was notified of the presence of avian influenza at a commercial poultry facility with just less than one million birds in Clinton County. IDOA has worked closely with state and federal officials to manage the situation, following established protocol for remediation.
While this is the first detection of HPAI in domestic poultry within Illinois this fall, detections are rising throughout the country as wild birds migrate.
Avian flu is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A influenza viruses. The viruses occur naturally and can infect poultry and wild birds. Virus strains are infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock.
Voters to decide federal, state and local races Nov. 3
With the Nov. 3 General Election just around the corner, Clinton County voters will have plenty of decisions to make as they head to the polls.
From a closely watched race for Illinois governor to contested Clinton County Board seats, voters will decide a wide range of federal, state and local races, along with a public question concerning a proposed new fire station in Wheatfield Township (see related story at right).
Among the races drawing attention is the contest to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who announced his retirement in early 2025.
Three candidates are seeking Durbin's seat: Democrat Juliana Stratton, currently Illinois' lieutenant governor; Republican Don Tracy; and Whitfield Harrington Jr., representing the American Center Party.
In the 12th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Mike Bost faces a challenge from Democrat Julie Fortier.
Five statewide contests
on ballot
At the state level, five contested races will appear on the ballot, with the governor's race expected to draw considerable interest.
Incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and his running mate, Christian Mitchell, (who replaces Stratton in this position), face opposition from Republican Darren Bailey and his running mate Aaron B. Del Mar, along with independent candidates Collin Corbett and Carolyn Schofield.
In the race for Illinois attorney general, incumbent Democrat Kwame Raoul faces Republican Robert W. Fioretti.
For secretary of state, incumbent Democrat Alexi Giannoulias is defending his spot against Republican Diane M. Harris. Two newcomers, Democrat Margaret Croke and Republican Bryan Drew, are seeking the state comptroller's position. Incumbent Democrat Susan A. Mendoza is not seeking re-election.
Fields takes first at Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier
All photos courtesy of Bassmasters Many, Louisiana — Ethan Fields came to the dock convinced he had blown it. An hour later, he was holding the first-place trophy at the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Toledo Bend Reservoir presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Following two consistent days with limits of 28 pounds, 2 ounces and 27-4, which put him in fourth place, then first, the pro from Breese, Illinois, entered Championship Friday with a 3-6 lead.
After two days of showing off its impressive quality and quantity, Day 3 saw Toledo Bend feeling the full effects of a lake turnover that started with a pre-event cold front. With the fish clearly having a bad hair day, Fields managed only 17-13, but that was enough to tally a winning total of 73-3, that edged Buddy Benson of Dahlonega, Ga., by 2-7.
For his efforts, Fields won the $71,317 top prize. He also received an invitation to fish the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, March 19-21 at Lake Hartwell.
All photos courtesy of Bassmasters “I was confident that I didn’t have it; 17 pounds on this lake — there’s no way,” Fields said of his unexpected win. “My family left at 4 in the morning and drove down. This is so special. I can’t believe it.
“With these guys in the Top 10, I thought there was no way I could keep up with them. I don’t know what to say, this is so incredible.”
Fields caught all of his final-round fish in the same area where he caught his first two days’ limits. Working a creek north of the Pendleton Bridge, uplake from the tournament site, Fields fished a variety of habitat features including timber flats and docks.
All photos courtesy of Bassmasters “I was just doing big circles in there,” Fields said. “I only left the creek twice to go try some new stuff and it wasn’t working, but that was one place where I knew there was fish. So, I went back to that creek, hunkered down and got it to work.
The first two days, Fields also caught fish cruising the bank and hunting big gizzard shad. On the final day, however, his bank fish were nowhere to be found.
“I had a really slow day, it was really tough on me,” Fields said. “The conditions didn’t bother me until today. The lake finished turning over and the fish were running from my baits. They did not want to eat today.
“It’s a good thing the tournament started a couple days earlier or it might have been a really poor tournament for Toledo Bend.”
Fields caught most of his fish on a Hideup Coike Fullcast rigged on a 1/0 BKK Hyperlatch treble hook with a 1/8-ounce weight. He also caught fish on a jighead minnow with a Big Bite Baits Spotlight Minnow on a 1/4-ounce head or a larger minnow on a 3/8-ounce head.
With either bait, precision casts and quick retrieves were the key ingredients.
“It seemed like you had to hit these fish right on the head this week,” Fields said. “With the docks, I was staying a couple of feet out in front of the docks, because the closer you are, the better you can see them on forward facing sonar.
“Even if I was fishing super shallow, it seemed like they wanted the bait moving quickly past them.”
At the Day 2 weigh-ins, Fields stated that he felt very confident throughout his day. Suffice to say, Day 3 brought a very different vibe, as his bites were less frequent, and he never found what Toledo Bend standards would call a big bite — something 7-plus.
Fortunately, Fields started his morning with a 5-pounder 30 minutes into his day and quickly followed with one about 2 3/4. After that, his day yielded only four more bass, but one of them was another 5.
A field of 131 anglers competed in the second of three “EQ” events. The series began at Norfork Lake (Sept. 23-25) and concludes at Lake Guntersville (Nov. 11-13). After the final event, the Top 10 anglers in EQ points standings will qualify to fish the 2027 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.
Toledo Bend Lake Country hosted this event.
Fields has competed in 24 Bassmaster events with last weekend being his first first-place finish. The Mater Dei graduate has been in the money 12 times with two second-place finishes and seven top 10 finishes.
Fields has 14 top 30 finishes and has a total weight of 742 pounds and a career earnings of $125,446 for the 22-year old.
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