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US - Michigan: 11 people in Oakland County had contact with H5N1-infected backyard flock, 1 is symptomatic - tests pending - January 9, 2025

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  • US - Michigan: 11 people in Oakland County had contact with H5N1-infected backyard flock, 1 is symptomatic - tests pending - January 9, 2025

    Jan. 9, 2025
    Kristen Jordan Shamus
    Detroit Free Press

    Two people are sick and in isolation in Oakland County and nine others are being monitored after they had direct contact with H5N1 bird flu from an infected backyard flock, a spokesperson for Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter told the Free Press on Thursday.

    The two people who are ill have flu-like symptoms and are undergoing testing, said Bill Mullan, Coulter's spokesperson.

    Because H5N1 is a form of influenza A, the samples collected from the sick people will first be tested for influenza A. If those tests are positive, Mullan said more detailed subtype testing will be done to identify whether they have the H5N1 form of the virus ...

    "One person's test has been collected," Mullan said. "The other person's test will be collected tomorrow (Friday). They will be sent to the state lab. It is unknown when the results will be available."

    The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Thursday that the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus had been confirmed in birds in the Oakland County backyard flock, but it would not disclose specifically where that flock ...





  • #2
    please see: https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/...11#post1004411

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    • #3
      Media - bolding is mine
      Updated 1/11/25
      More than 100 birds culled at Waterford park for H5N1 bird flu

      ​More than 100 chickens, geese, ducks and other birds at the farm at Hess-Hathaway Park in Waterford have been culled after some of them tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta said Friday.
      -snip-

      That's just one bit of public information that was corrected Friday both by Bartolotta and by the Oakland County Health Division, which also acknowledged only one person is symptomatic after contact with the birds — not two, as a county spokesperson reported Thursday.

      At least 10 other people are under public health monitoring for symptoms.



      "The farm staff was great in identifying which staff and volunteers may have been in contact with any of the animals, and so they provided that to us," said Christie Clement-Halladay, chief of Oakland County’s Communicable Disease Unit.

      "We've come up with a list of 11, maybe 12. We are still nailing down contacts who may have been exposed, may have been in contact with sick or dead birds. We are monitoring their health. We'll talk to them every day for 10 days to monitor, and make sure that they don't develop symptoms and also get everyone tested if they do."

      One person, Clement-Halladay said, has "mild" upper respiratory symptoms that include nasal congestion and cough.

      A specimen from that person has been collected and sent to the Michigan Bureau of Labs for testing.
      -snip-
      Clement-Hallady said she's uncertain about whether all 11 or 12 people who were in close contact with the infected birds also will undergo H5N1 testing if the person with symptoms has a confirmed case of the virus.

      "We will discuss that with our state partners if that happens," she said. "Generally, we're not testing asymptomatic people for H5N1."
      -snip-
      "One of our workers went to work to feed the chickens. There were three dead ones and three of them that weren't doing well at all," Bartolotta said. "They bagged them up, took them up to Michigan State University for testing."

      continued: https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...y/77602656007/

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      • #4
        Oakland County Health Division

        Health Division Highlights Bird Flu Prevention as Human Risk Remains Low


        ​Post Date:01/10/2025 3:00 PM

        Waterford Township, Mich. – The Oakland County Health Division is monitoring a situation involving highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, identified in animals at the farm at Hess-Hathaway Park in Waterford Township. Eleven individuals who had direct contact with the animals are being monitored for 10 days, beginning yesterday.

        Initially, it was reported that two of the 11 are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Since then, the Health Division has learned that only one individual has symptoms. That person’s influenza test has been collected and results from the state lab are pending.

        “The risk of contracting bird flu is very low for the general public, but it’s important to be aware of the disease in the community,” said Oakland County Director of Health and Human Services Leigh-Anne Stafford. “Protect yourself and prevent bird flu by avoiding direct contact with sick or dead birds and wash your hands thoroughly if you come into contact with them.

        In response to the discovery of HPAI at the farm at Hess-Hathaway Park, Waterford Township has taken proactive measures. Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta emphasized the township’s commitment to safety.

        “Until further notice, portions of the farm will be closed to protect our animals, staff and visitors. However, the rest of Hess-Hathaway Park remains open for community enjoyment,” Bartolotta said. “We appreciate the community’s cooperation, patience and understanding as we work to return our farm to regular operations. We look forward to reopening in the Spring of 2025.”

        Residents are encouraged to follow these prevention tips:
        • Avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds and animals.
        • Use recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) if contact is necessary.
        • Refrain from touching surfaces contaminated by bird droppings or bodily fluids.
        • Avoid consuming raw milk or raw milk products.

        If bird flu is suspected in a domestic flock, contact Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after hours). Additionally, report cases of unusual or unexplained deaths among wild bird populations by contacting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at 517-336-5030.

        MDARD is closely monitoring and responding to reports of sick domestic birds and HPAI throughout the state.

        Contact your health care provider if you’ve had close contact with domestic fowl or wild bird and have bird flu symptoms. Bird flu symptoms range from no symptoms to severe disease. Signs and symptoms of bird flu in people may include:
        • Eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis)
        • Mild fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater) or feeling feverish (fever may not always be present)
        • Cough
        • Sore throat
        • Runny or stuffy nose
        • Muscle or body aches
        • Headaches
        • Fatigue
        • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

        Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

        HPAI virus is widespread in wild birds worldwide and detected in domestic poultry and other animals. It can 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.

        More information about bird flu can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call is available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and X.

        Read the initial alert from MDARD here. For additional bird flu information from the state, click on michigan.gov/birdflu.

        https://www.oakgov.com/Home/Componen...News/1751/2027

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