Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in an Ottawa County Flock

Dec 26, 2024

By Jennifer Holton

Biosecurity remains fundamental to protecting animal health and public health

Following an investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry facility located in Ottawa County. This is the second detection of HPAI in an Ottawa County flock this month. Biosecurity measures continue to be critical to help ensure the health of Michigan's domestic animals and the general public.

"Slowing the spread of HPAI to protect human health is a top priority at MDARD," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "Implementing on-farm biosecurity and expanding the state's HPAI surveillance efforts are key strategies to prevent opportunities for the virus to infect domestic animal species and potentially spread and become a more concerning human threat."

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected animals, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The affected premises is currently under quarantine, and the birds will be depopulated to prevent disease spread. These efforts also help to ensure the safety and integrity of the commercial food supply.

"Even though the weather is cold, HPAI continues to circulate in wild bird populations creating ideal conditions for the virus to thrive and spread," said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "It's critical to prevent disease introduction by taking biosecurity measures such as keeping domestic animals away from wild birds and cleaning and disinfecting equipment between uses."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low. Also, no birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the commercial food chain. As a reminder, people should properly handle and cook all poultry and eggs.

Whether it's a few backyard birds or a large commercial flock, following a few key steps is fundamental to protect the health and vitality of Michigan s domestic birds:

Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing them indoors or ensuring their outdoor area is fully enclosed.
Wash your hands before and after handling birds as well as when moving between different coops.
Disinfect boots and other gear when moving between coops.
Do not share equipment or other supplies between coops or other farms.
Clean and disinfect equipment and other supplies between If it cannot be disinfected, discard it.
Use well or municipal water as drinking water for birds.
Keep poultry feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.

MDARD is continuing to work diligently with local, state, and federal partners to quickly respond to reports of sick domestic animals to best mitigate the spread of HPAI and provide outreach.

Reporting Possible Cases

For Domestic Birds
Domestic bird owners and caretakers should watch for multiple sudden deaths in the flock, a drop in egg production, a significant decrease in water consumption, diarrhea, sneezing/coughing, or an increase in sick birds. If avian influenza is suspected in domestic birds, contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).

For Wild Birds
If anyone notices what appears to be unusual or unexplained deaths among wild bird populations, please report these cases to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by:

Using the DNR's Eyes in the Field app. Choose the Diseased Wildlife option among the selections for Observation Forms.
Calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe to receive email notifications by visiting MDARD's website and clicking on the Avian Influenza link. After entering a valid email address, subscribers will receive updates and alerts regarding the status of avian influenza in Michigan whenever there are new developments to report. Additional resources can also be found at Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.

For more information on proper use of personal protective equipment to protect against avian influenza, please visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website.

Source : michigan.gov

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