Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly called “bird flu,” is a virus found among various species of birds. HPAI viruses can infect domestic poultry, which includes chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl.

The virus also infects a wide variety of other birds, including wild migratory waterfowl. HPAI has even been detected in various species of mammals—presumably after the animals come into contact with infected wild birds. For more information on current detections in domestic poultry, livestock, and wildlife across the U.S., please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s webpage.

As detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza continue to be discovered throughout the state, it remains vital for every producer to take steps to protect their animals.

Signs of disease in birds:

Lack of coordination
Low energy or appetite
Purple discoloration or swelling of the head, comb, wattles, eyelids, and/or hocks
Reduced egg production or soft-shelled/misshapen eggs
Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing
Diarrhea
Sudden death with no prior signs

Cases of the disease continue to be found in Michigan’s wild birds and mammals. The virus was also recently detected in Michigan dairy cattle. It is just as important now as it was at the start of the HPAI outbreak in February 2022 for producers to take every step possible to protect domestic animals from wildlife and the germs they could be carrying.

Since the outbreak began in February 2022, HPAI has been detected in domestic birds from Bay, Branch, Cass, Eaton, Genessee, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Menominee, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wexford counties.

In April 2024, the disease has also been detected in dairy cattle from Ionia, Isabella, Montcalm and Ottawa counties.

Reporting Suspected HPAI Infections

Please Note: HPAI is NOT evidenced by one dead bird or one coughing/sneezing bird while the remainder of the flock is acting normally. Instead, for small flock owners, look for two or more dead birds within a 24-hour period and symptoms in the rest of the flock (not eating, acting lethargic or sleepy with eyes closed, tucking their head close to their body, and appearing to be puffed up)

Domestic Animals

800-292-3939 (daytime)
517-373-0440 or 412-847-2255 (after-hours)

Wildlife

517-336-5030
Eyes in the Field: a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Online Form

Public Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk associated with HPAI remains low, however monitoring the health of people in contact with birds is important. To lower the risk of infections, flock caretakers and those with access to poultry should use good personal hygiene and biosecurity practices when having contact with birds.

The reported signs and symptoms of avian influenza virus infections in humans have ranged from no symptoms or mild flu-like respiratory symptoms to severe illness requiring hospitalization. Transmission of avian influenza from human to human is very rare.

Food Safety

The management and elimination of HPAI disease includes practices that ensure no poultry products (meat or eggs) from HPAI positive flocks enter the food chain. As a reminder, it is essential that people follow proper food safety practices when handling and cooking all poultry and eggs products.

As a reminder, it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry in the United States. The proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including HPAI viruses.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) are reminding residents of the risks associated with consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk amid the current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak affecting dairy cow herds. Pasteurized milk is extremely safe and has undergone a heating process which kills disease-causing germs like Campylobacter, E. coli and Salmonella. People who consume raw (or unpasteurized) milk, cheeses and other dairy products like ice cream created from raw milk are at risk for a variety of illnesses.

Important Links:

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Developmen t (external site)
MSU Extension (external site)
FDA | Questions and Answers Regarding Milk Safety (external site)
FDA | HPAI Updates (external site)
Sign up for email alerts about Avian Flu (MDARD)

Documents:

Keeping Our Birds Safe Flyer (PDF)
Avian Influenza in Poultry Infographic (PDF)
HPAI Biosecurity Checklist | Cattle (PDF)
HPAI Biosecurity Checklist | Poultry (PDF)
Cleaning and Disinfecting for HPAI (PDF)
Raw Milk Risks (PDF)

FAQs

What is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza?

HPAI is a highly contagious virus in birds and poultry that can be spread directly by infected wild birds or animals or indirectly through any item that has been exposed to the virus, such as equipment, feed, or the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The virus has been detected in various species of mammals, including Michigan dairy cattle.

What is being done at the state level to prevent and stop the spread of HPAI?

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to work with state and federal partners, veterinarians, Michigan State University Extension, MSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and industry stakeholders to provide information to poultry farmers and backyard flock owners about the current disease situation, importance of following (and even increasing) their biosecurity measures, and what signs to look for in their birds.

MDARD continues to take swift action in response to this disease and is closely monitoring and responding to reports of sick domestic birds and HPAI throughout the state.

How does HPAI impact infected birds?

HPAI viruses cause severe illness in chickens and turkeys and can wipe out entire flocks in days. Potential symptoms include: sudden death, drop in egg production, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and diarrhea. Additional symptoms and information may be found on USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's webpage.

How is HPAI spread?

HPAI is highly contagious and can be carried by migratory wild birds, geese, ducks and other fowl.

This disease can be spread by direct contact (bird-to-bird) by exposure to:
- Saliva
- Mucous
- Feces from infected birds
It can also be spread through indirect contact through contaminated items such as:
- Equipment
- Feed
- Clothing and shoes of animal caretakers
- Rodents and pests
Flock owners should observe their birds for signs of disease, if sick birds are present care should be taken to not expose other animals to disease.

Can I get avian influenza from consuming poultry, or eggs?

No. Poultry and eggs that are properly prepared and cooked are safe to eat. Proper food safety practices are important every day. In addition to proper processing, proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection from viruses and bacteria, including avian influenza. The chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the food chain is extremely low because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards USDA has in place, which include testing of flocks, and Federal inspection programs.

How do I protect my own birds?

Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing them indoors or ensuring their outdoor area is fully enclosed.
Wash your hands before and after handling birds as well as when moving between different coops.
Disinfect boots and other gear when moving between coops.
Do not share equipment or other supplies between coops or other farms.
Clean and disinfect equipment and other supplies between If it cannot be disinfected, discard it.
Use well or municipal water as drinking water for birds.
Keep poultry feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.

How does HPAI impact infected cattle?

Unlike HPAI in birds which is typically fatal, little to no mortality has been reported among dairy cattle with most animals recovering. The virus may cause a decreased milk supply along with other mild symptoms.

Is it safe to drink milk?

Yes. Milk Products are pasteurized before entering the market. There is no concern about the safety of the commercial milk supply, or that this circumstance poses a risk to consumer health. Pasteurization has continuously proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk. Raw milk is not recommended to be consumed, as those who consume raw milk and/or milk products are at risk for a variety of illnesses.

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