Bird flu in Michigan: State testing milk amid fears of avian influenza infecting dairy farms
(FOX 2) - Amid growing fears that the virus associated with bird flu could become a public health crisis in the U.S., Michigan is testing the milk coming out of its dairy farms to better understand High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
While bird flu frequently spreads among wild birds and can transmit to commercial flocks and poultry farms during migration, the emergence of cows becoming infected with the H5N1 strain represents a new concern for health and farm officials.
"This is a new disease for us in dairy cattle," said Tim Boring, the director of Michigan's agriculture department.
To better understand the nature of the mutated virus, Michigan is in the first phase of milk testing overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Testing began in December as a means of monitoring milk samples coming from farms.
California, Colorado, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania are the other states taking part in the new federal strategy.
Any insight gleaned from the strategy will be used to better understand the nature of the bird flu outbreak, including how it spreads and how it mutates.
The H5N1 outbreak among cattle was first reported in March in Texas, which became the source of the first dairy herd infection reported in Michigan. Shortly after, the CDC reported the first case of a human testing positive for bird flu.
That individual, a farm worker in Texas, was likely exposed while working with dairy cattle.
Since then, both poultry and cattle farms in more than a dozen Michigan counties have confirmed infections among their livestock. The most recent case was confirmed in Ottawa County in a commercial poultry flock - the first since May when the outbreak was at its biggest in Michigan.
Meanwhile, California has declared a state of emergency over the outbreak as more states seek to manage the disease as it spreads.
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in an infected person. However, that specific strain is different from the strain that has been detected in dairy cows and other human cases, the CDC said.
As of Dec. 13, there have been 61 human cases of bird flu.
The severity of the outbreak and potential for more mutations is why MDARD is coordinating with other state departments like the DNR and MDHHS, as well as with the federal government.
"This is the one piece that has set our approach in Michigan apart from other states," Boring said. "It truly is a one-health approach."
How does bird flu spread?
Bird flu can spread in various ways, including from flock to flock, from wild birds, through contact with other infected animals, or on clothing.
Transmission is most common during the migratory seasons of birds because that's when they travel over greater distances. Both birds living in someone's backyard or at a large commercial farm are susceptible to contracting HPAI.
As a result, MDARD frequently advises managers to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by keeping them indoors during these seasons.
Anyone who works with flocks is encouraged to wash their hands before and after handling them.
Reporting bird flu cases
Potential cases of bird flu should be reported to the state, depending on the type of bird that is infected.
Domestic bird owners that see sudden deaths in a flock, a drop in egg production, or adverse health impacts should report the case to MDARD by calling 800-292-3939 during the day or 517-373-0440 after business hours.
Anyone that observes unusual or alarming behavior among wild birds are encouraged to contact the DNR through their Eyes in the Field app or by calling the lab at 517-336-5030.