Bird flu outbreak grows in Michigan with three more sites exposed to virus

Corewell Health Infectious Disease head discusses case of bird flu found in Michigan

This virus has been associated with the ongoing multistate outbreak of influenza A (H5N1). Current research suggests this is a sporadic infection, with no associated ongoing spread person-to-person.

(FOX 2) - Three more cases of bird flu have been detected in Michigan after officials confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza across two counties.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is monitoring outbreaks at two commercial poultry facilities in Ottawa County as well as an outbreak at a backyard flock in Jackson County.

This is the first case of HPAI in Jackson since the outbreak was first reported in Michigan in 2022.

It's also the latest development of a slow-moving health crisis that is increasingly becoming a concern as both states and the federal government take action to prevent further spread.

That includes MDARD testing dairy farms around Michigan in hopes of better understanding the mutated H5N1 strain.

Tim Boring, MDARD's director, told FOX 2 that Michigan was working in lockstep with other state agencies as well as the federal government to coordinate a response.

The latest detections on the west side of the state are the fourth this December. As a result, the affected premises have been quarantined and the birds are being culled to prevent further spread.

"As HPAI continues to circulate in wild birds, taking steps to prevent both direct and indirect contact between wildlife and domestic animals is important to prevent disease introduction," said Dr. Nora Wineland, MDARD's state veterinarian.

Bird flu commonly spreads when migrating flocks interact with other groups of birds, including both commercial and backyard flocks.

It's most common for bird flu to spread during migration season when wild flocks are moving across the country. Typically, officials expect transmission to slow during the offseason.

But with cases of HPAI now found in dairy farms, as well as individuals developing severe cases after being infected themselves, the situation is growing ever more complex as health officials work to keep track of local outbreaks.

The individual that was hospitalized suffered from a respiratory illness and the CDC has found it to be closely related to other strains detected in poultry.

The disease's spread is also disrupting milk and egg production - both in Michigan and around the U.S. That includes in California, which has declared a state of emergency after 36 dairy herds were exposed.

There have also been food recalls associated with bird flu contamination.

Despite the concerns, the government still considers the threat associated with the outbreak low.