MILWAUKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian flu in a wild merganser collected from Milwaukee County. Laboratory testing was conducted at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center in Madison.

The DNR has received reports of additional sick or dead waterfowl, primarily mergansers, along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties.

Since mid-December, the H5 strain has been detected in six counties, affecting swans and Canada geese, according to a Friday, Feb. 14 press release from the DNR.

Public health officials say the risk to humans is low, but people should avoid handling sick or dead wildlife.

Reports of groups of five or more dead birds can be submitted through the DNR’s Sick or Dead Bird Reporting Form or by calling (608) 267-0866.