Michigans wild birds and the silent spread ABC 10/CW5 [Video]

New cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, have not been reported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development since December 2023, but the virus continues to be detected throughout the United States and in Michigan’s wild bird population. HPAI is is extremely contagious and can spread through multiple channels from one group of birds to another. These transmission routes include interactions with wild birds, direct contact with infected poultry, contamination via equipment, and even transfer on the clothing and footwear of caretakers.

On February 24, 2022, MDARD reported the state’s initial case of HPAI within a domestic flock. Subsequently, the department received over 280 calls related to potential disease cases, prompting 93 investigations. These inquiries led to the identification of 29 infected flocks across various settings:

• 23 of these flocks were backyard flocks.
• 3 cases occurred in hunting preserves.
• 3 cases were detected in commercial flocks.

These instances were distributed across 18 counties spanning both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.

This year, MDARD has …