Michigan - Avian flu in mammals and livestock 2024-2025

[Commonground]

via email


Immediate Release: August 26, 2024
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Van Buren County Dairy Herd

Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd from Van Buren County, bringing the total number of affected dairy herds in Michigan to 28. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory initially detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.

...https://www.michigan.gov/mdard

[Commonground]

Media
New bird flu outbreak confirmed in Van Buren County dairy herd
August 26, 2024
Excerpt:

It is the 28th dairy herd to be diagnosed with an outbreak since the first was found in late March, but the first outbreak since infections at a separate Van Buren County facility on July 26.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/van-buren-county/new-bird-flu-outbreak-confirmed-in-van-buren-county-dairy-herd/

[sharon sanders]

From:
"Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development" <MDARD@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov>
To: "FluTrackers" <flutrackers@earthlink.net>
Subject: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Shiawassee County Dairy Herd
Date: Sep 9, 2024 2:01 PM


Immediate Release: September 9, 2024

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Shiawassee County Dairy Herd


Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd from Shiawassee County, bringing the total number of affected dairy herds in Michigan to 29. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory initially detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.

Regardless of the species, biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI. On May 1, 2024, Director Boring issued the Determination of Extraordinary Emergency HPAI Risk Reduction and Response Order (HRRRO). In addition to other protocols, the order requires all dairy operations in Michigan to adopt enhanced biosecurity measures, collectively reducing the risk of introducing this virus on to farms. The order also prohibits the exhibition of all lactating dairy cattle, and those in the last two months of pregnancy, until there are no new cases of HPAI in Michigan dairy cattle for at least 60 consecutive days. No dairy cattle of any age from an infected premises may be exhibited until further notice.

In addition to these requirements, following a few key steps can also be fundamental to protecting the health and vitality of Michigan's dairy cattle:

• Delay or stop incoming or returning animals from herds with unknown or suspect health status.
• Isolate all animals that are new or returning to your farm.
• Monitor the health of your animals daily.
• Contact your veterinarian if there are ever any animal health-related concerns or if you would like to develop a secure food supply plan.
• Sick animals should have dedicated equipment and be cared for after tending to healthy animals first.
• Clothing, footwear, and equipment worn/used around sick animals should not be worn/used around other animals until they are cleaned and disinfected. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against avian influenza.
• Do not share tools, equipment, trailers, etc. with other farms.
• Clean and disinfect the interiors of trailers used to haul animals from other operations.
• Limit non-essential visitors to your farm.
• If individuals have recently been on a poultry farm, they should not visit a dairy operation, and vice versa.
• Require or provide clean clothing and footwear to those entering your farm.
• Use hand-washing stations and provide gloves to those working on your farm.

As part of the disease response, MDARD is working with the herd veterinarian to monitor the health of the animals and conduct trace investigations. Additionally, MDARD and various federal and state partners continue to offer personal protective equipment at the request of dairy operations. The department continues to diligently work with local, state, and federal partners to quickly respond to reports of HPAI to mitigate the spread of the disease and provide outreach.

[Commonground]

Immediate Release:
October 16, 2024
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Clinton County Dairy Herd

Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd from Clinton County, bringing the total number of affected dairy herds in Michigan to 30. Testing through the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory initially detected this case. Samples have been sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for additional confirmatory testing.

...https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about...nty-dairy-herd

[sharon sanders]

hat tip hogvet51

Michigan was updated today - post-dated back to Dec. 30, 2024. I complained about the post dating of herds a month ago. link It is very hard to keep up with.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock

[sharon sanders]

Added to Michigan's count in post #49, this new herd is the 31st.

[Pathfinder]

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals

Last Modified: January 21, 2025
...
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4451

[Commonground]

"Current Strains in Cattle continue to be associated with bird migration and the Strain of the Virus seen in wild birds...."

Michigan Department of Agriculture meets to discuss bird flu
Published: Feb. 6, 2025 at 10:28 PM EST| Updated: 8 hours ago


LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - The state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development met to discuss the state’s response to bird flu cases on Thursday.

The department says they are taking a multifaceted approach to mitigating the bird flu. This includes taking part in the USDA’s milk testing strategy program, which monitors for bird flu in milk supply and dairy herds.

“We’ve seen a couple of recovering dairy herds, but we haven’t seen any active infections going on in Michigan dairy farms. So those strains of the virus that we’ve seen across Michigan here continue to be associated with wild bird migration and the strain of the virus seen in wild birds,” an official said,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it believes the current risk to humans from bird flu viruses remains low.

https://www.wilx.com/2025/02/07/michigan-department-agriculture-meets-discuss-bird-flu/

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...n/82248723007/

Two domestic cats infected with H5N1 virus in Michigan
Max Reinhart The Detroit News
18 hours ago

Experts are urging cat owners to refrain from feeding their pets raw meat or unpasteurized milk after the bird flu virus was detected in two indoor domestic cats in Michigan.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory said cats appear to be highly susceptible to the HPAI A(H5N1) strain of avian influenza and "increased vigilance is needed to both protect cats from infection and to better understand virus transmission between animal species."

The two cats that were infected with the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu both lived with dairy workers who had no known direct exposure to the virus, according to a CDC report. They had both consumed either raw meat or unpasteurized milk, as well.

Courtney White, vice president of veterinary medicine at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, said risk to humans and widespread exposure to community and domestic cats is considered low, but owners and caregivers at shelters should be aware of the risk factors...

[Pathfinder]

See also:

CDC - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection of Indoor Domestic Cats Within Dairy Industry Worker Households — Michigan, May 2024

https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/national-international-government-ngo-preparation-response/cdc/h5n1-information/1008165-cdc-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-a-h5n1-virus-infection-of-indoor-domestic-cats-within-dairy-industry-worker-households-%E2%80%94-michigan-may-2024

[Pathfinder]

What happened to infections among dairy herds?

By Jack NissenPublished November 26, 2025 9:11am EST Health FOX 2 Detroit
...
A bird flu mystery

The outbreak tied to the strain that infected cattle spurred more concerns and questions about the possibility of the virus mutating further and infecting humans.

That's why Michigan was tapped to participate in a milk testing program that monitored dairy farms. A year later, testing is still going on. However, the dairy herd strain appears to have vanished

"We're not sure where the strain went," said Boring. "On the national level too. Our partners at the USDA and a lot of research institutions are looking at assessments of the virus. We haven't seen many detections for months."

Boring said the case "Illustrates a lot about the virus that we still don't know today."
...

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/bird-flu-mystery-michigan-what-happened-infections-among-dairy-herds

[Pathfinder]

Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals

Last Modified: December 09, 2025
...
...

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals

[Commonground]

3/20/26
MDARD Urges Animal Owners to Continue Taking Steps to Prevent HPAI as Wild Birds Migrate this Spring

Vigilance is still needed as HPAI continues to circulate


LANSING, Mich.—The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) urges animal owners to remain vigilant and take preventative measures against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as wild birds complete their spring migration.

“When wild birds move, so does HPAI. Even though there were only three cases of HPAI detected so far this year, the spring migration season brings an increased risk for transmission of the virus,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “This virus thrives in the cool damp conditions that are common as spring arrives. It is imperative that owners continue to actively protect their flocks and herds from exposure to wild birds and their germs.”

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from animal to animal, including through wild birds, contact with infected animals, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can affect both animals and people.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with this disease remains low. People should properly handle and cook all meat and eggs and avoid consuming raw milk.

In 2025, there were 10 detections of HPAI in Michigan’s commercial poultry flocks and 12 detections in backyard flocks. Nearly all of these cases occurred in the early spring or late fall months when wild birds migrate.

For dairy cattle, there were no detections of HPAI in Michigan’s dairy herds in 2025, and the state was able to achieve Stage 4 / Unaffected Status in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Milk Testing Strategy back in July 2025. While achieving this status means the virus is no longer being detected, testing and monitoring continues to ensure there are no additional cases in the state’s dairy cattle herds.

Regardless of the species, owners can protect the health of Michigan’s domestic animals by:

• Preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds.
• Limiting non-essential visitors to your farm.
• Washing your hands before and after caring for animals.
• Not sharing equipment or other supplies between farms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting clothing, footwear, and equipment worn/used around sick animals. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against avian influenza.
• Keeping feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.
• Allowing sufficient downtime between visits to poultry and dairy operations so the virus is not being carried between facilities.
• Contacting your veterinarian if there are ever any animal health-related concerns.

Reporting Possible Cases

For Domestic Animals

In Michigan, HPAI is reportable in all species of animals. If avian influenza is suspected, contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).

For Wildlife

If anyone notices what appears to be unusual or unexplained behaviors or deaths among wild birds and other wildlife, please report these cases to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through the Eyes in the Field app or by calling 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.

More information on avian influenza and how to protect domestic animals through biosecurity measures can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.

via e-mail