Bird flu case confirmed in Oakland County by Michigan Dept of Agriculture

PESCADERO, CA – DECEMBER 20: On December 20, 2024, a view of roosters and hens at a farm in Pescadero, California, United States, as California proclaims a state of emergency to prevent a new public health disaster on bird flu. (Tayfun Co. photo)

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    The highly pathogenic avian influenza was found in an Oakland County flock, the state of Michigan announced Thursday.
    
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    No birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the commercial food chain.
    
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    The premises under quarantine by the Department of Agriculture and the birds are to be depopulated.
    

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  The highly pathogenic avian influenza was found in an Oakland County flock, the state of Michigan announced Thursday.
  
• 
  No birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the commercial food chain.
  
• 
  The premises under quarantine by the Department of Agriculture and the birds are to be depopulated.
  

FOX 2.The state said Thursday that a backyard flock from Oakland County has been found to have a case of the highly dangerous avian influenza.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development discovered the case.

Since the virus was initially discovered in Michigan in 2022, this is Oakland County’s second HPAI outbreak.

The birds will be depopulated in order to stop the disease from spreading, and the impacted location—which will remain unnamed—is presently under quarantine.

According to reports, HPAI is a highly contagious illness that can spread from flock to flock via wild birds, contact with infected animals, equipment, and caregivers’ clothing and shoes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that there is still little risk to the public’s health from avian influenza.

Personal protective equipment and biosecurity measures can assist safeguard the public’s and domestic animals’ health in Michigan, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture.

There will be no HPAI-infected birds or bird products in the commercial food chain. As a reminder, all eggs and poultry should be handled and cooked correctly.

Following a few essential procedures is essential to preserving the health and vigor of domestic birds in Michigan, regardless of the size of the flock—whether it’s a small backyard flock or a huge commercial flock:

In order to prevent domestic and wild birds from coming into touch, the state is recommending households to either bring their birds inside or make sure their outside space is completely fenced.

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

Owners and caregivers of domestic birds should keep an eye out for any abrupt mortality in the flock, a decline in egg production, a sharp drop in water intake, diarrhea, coughing or sneezing, or an increase in sick birds.

In the event that domestic birds are suspected of having avian influenza, call MDARD right away at 800-292-3939 (during the day) or 517-373-0440 (after hours).

Regarding Wild Birds: Please use the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app to report any instances of unusual or inexplicable deaths among wild bird populations to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. From the list of options for Observation Forms, pick Diseased Wildlife.

It is also possible to reach the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory via phone at 517-336-5030.

A view of turkeys at a farm on December 20, 2024, near Pescadero, California, as the state of California proclaims a state of emergency to prevent a fresh bird flu public health crisis. (Image courtesy of Anadolu/Tayfun Coskun)