Kenneth McFarlane Chief Operating Officer | Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Kenneth McFarlane Chief Operating Officer | Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Following an investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has identified highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Alpena County. This marks the first case of HPAI in Alpena County since its initial detection in Michigan in 2022. Biosecurity measures and personal protective equipment remain crucial for safeguarding the health of domestic animals and the public.
HPAI is a contagious virus that spreads between flocks through wild birds, contact with infected animals, equipment, clothing, and shoes of caretakers. The affected site is under quarantine, and birds have been depopulated to prevent further spread.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the public health risk from avian influenza remains low. Infected birds or bird products will not enter the commercial food chain. Proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs are advised.
Key steps to protect domestic birds include preventing contact with wild birds, washing hands before and after handling birds, disinfecting boots and gear between coops, not sharing equipment between farms, using clean water sources for drinking water, and securing poultry feed from wild birds or rodents.
MDARD continues to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to respond swiftly to reports of sick domestic animals to mitigate HPAI spread.
Domestic bird owners should monitor for sudden deaths in flocks, decreased egg production or water consumption, diarrhea, sneezing/coughing, or increased sick birds. Suspected cases should be reported to MDARD at 800-292-3939 during daytime hours or 517-373-0440 after-hours.
Unusual deaths among wild bird populations should be reported to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) via their Eyes in the Field app or by calling 517-336-5030.
To stay informed on avian influenza updates in Michigan, individuals can subscribe to email notifications through MDARD's website. Additional resources are available at Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.
For information on personal protective equipment against avian influenza, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website. Further details on avian influenza prevention can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.
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