GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For the second time in lower than two weeks, the Michigan Division of Agriculture and Rural Improvement has confirmed an outbreak of chook flu in Ottawa County.
The outbreak on the unnamed industrial poultry farm was reported to the company on Monday.
Between dairy herds and poultry flocks, MDARD has discovered 40 outbreaks this yr, though exercise has slowed significantly because the early summer season.
MDARD issued a threat discount response on Could 1, outlining particular measures for farmers to take to forestall the unfold of the virus. The state has solely seen eight outbreaks because the begin of June and none since mid-October earlier than the Ottawa County outbreak on Dec. 15.
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MDARD says sustaining biosecurity measures are simply as necessary now because it was on the peak of the unfold in Could.
“Slowing the spread of highly pathologic avian influenza to protect human health is a top priority at MDARD,” Director Tim Boring mentioned in an announcement. “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 extremely contagious virus that may unfold from contaminated wild birds to different animals by an merchandise uncovered to the virus, like gear, feed and even the garments of the caretakers. In uncommon circumstances, people can contract the virus.
For the reason that begin of the outbreak in 2022, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention has confirmed 65 human circumstances of chook flu. The primary “severe” human case was reported earlier this month in Louisiana. It’s value noting, nevertheless, that the CDC has but to verify any circumstances of HPAI transmitting from human to human. To date, all circumstances are tied on to contaminated birds and cows.
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The present HPAI outbreak has affected greater than 125 million birds nationwide and 876 dairy herds, making it the worst chook flu outbreak in American historical past. Whereas HPAI is sort of all the time lethal in birds, the mortality fee is taken into account low in cows.
Those that suspect avian flu of their home animals are requested to name MDARD instantly at 800.292.3939 in the course of the day or 517.373.0440 after hours.
