The highly pathogenic avian flu has infected more Michigan dairy farms only three weeks after it first spread to cattle.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Friday, April 12 the bird flu was detected in three commercial farms in Ionia, Isabella and Ottawa counties.
This brings the total number of infected Michigan dairy herds to four after the flu was confirmed at a Montcalm County farm in late March.
Related: Dairy cows from commercial Michigan farm infected with bird flu More than 88 million birds have died since the highly pathogenic avian flu started spreading more than two years ago.
State and federal officials have emphasized the bird flu does not pose a risk to the commercial milk supply.
Related: A deadly bird flu raised egg prices.
Michigan farms vigilantly protect flocks.
The risk of humans getting sick from the avian flu remains low, according to the CDC, and no infected birds will enter the food chain.
Just three weeks after the highly pathogenic avian flu first infected cattle, it has already spread to more dairy farms in Michigan.
On Friday, April 12, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development declared that three commercial farms located in the counties of Ionia, Isabella, and Ottawa had tested positive for bird flu. After the flu was identified at a farm in Montcalm County in late March, there are now four dairy herds in Michigan that are infected.
Two weeks ago, the virus also infected 4 million birds at an egg farm in Ionia County, according to federal data.
“The HPAI situation in Michigan is similar to that of other states in the nation. We all need to be extremely cautious because this virus does not respect county or state boundaries. Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated in a statement that “this news is unfortunate and upsetting for our poultry and dairy farming families and communities.”.
Related: Michigan commercial dairy farm’s dairy cows contracting bird flu.
In the two years since the highly pathogenic avian flu began to spread, over 88 million birds have perished.
It was only lately that the virus spread to cattle after the U. s. The first dairy cows in Texas and Kansas were contaminated by wild birds, according to a Department of Agriculture report released on March 25. Since then, eight states’ dairy herds have tested positive for it, and one person in Texas who came into contact with infected cattle has also tested positive.
One of the affected farms in Michigan was “a little smaller,” according to state veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, who estimated that most of the affected farms had herds of 500 animals or more. “.
The Montcalm County herd was linked by Michigan to Texas, but investigators are still trying to determine how the infection got to three more dairy farms and the biggest egg producer in the state.
In a press conference on Friday, Boring stated, “As far as connection points, we’re still continuing to evaluate what possible transmission mechanisms might have been.”.
The commercial milk supply is not at risk from the bird flu, according to state and federal officials. Pasteurization requirements are also “proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses” in milk, according to the USDA, and dairy farms are required to divert or destroy any milk from infected animals.
Wineland stated, “If an animal is ill, their milk cannot be placed in the bulk tank for commercial purposes.”.
Related: An air-gasping chicken began to cry out. After a span of three days, over sixty birds had perished.
Given that hens are especially susceptible to the highly pathogenic avian flu, with a 90–100% mortality rate, one afflicted bird indicates that the U.S. S. For the purpose of preventing the spread of the flu, the Department of Agriculture mandates that the entire flock be “depopulated,” or killed.
Due to the virus, more than 4 million birds at five commercial farms and 25 backyard flocks in Michigan have perished.
Cattle that are infected can recover in seven to ten days, so there is no need to depopulate them.
The creatures are not kept in isolation. According to Wineland, “We request that the herd limit its movements and only relocate animals when it is absolutely essential.”.
Link: Price increases for eggs due to a fatal bird flu. Michigan farmers guard flocks with vigilance.
The avian flu is easily spread by wild birds or infected poultry, equipment, feed, and farmer’s clothing and shoes, which is why Michigan is requesting farms to strengthen their biosecurity protocols.
Every day, farms should check on the health of the animals, clean up after themselves, restrict non-essential visitors, and disinfect their equipment. Workers should likewise routinely wash their hands.
“It is still crucial for farmers to collaborate with their veterinarian, limit the amount of people who visit their properties, keep their animals away from wildlife, and keep a close eye on the health of the animals,” Wineland stated.
The CDC reports that there is still little chance that humans will contract the avian flu, and that no infected birds will become food for humans.
