Monroe County reports its second case of bird flu among a backyard flock
A second case of bird flu has been confirmed in Monroe County, Michigan, involving a small backyard flock, local authorities said Wednesday.
The first such case for Monroe County was detected and reported about two weeks ago; also involving a backyard flock.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus known as HPAI or bird flu can be spread easily among birds, and occasionally from birds to people. It is not a food safety concern. No human illness for bird flu has been detected so far in Monroe County.
"We recommend residents who own or work with birds to take the necessary precautions to keep their backyard flocks and families safe," Jamie Dean, Health Officer/Director at the Monroe County Health Department, said in the press release. "Our focus is protecting the public's health and keeping our community informed."
The virus was first detected among Michigan animals in 2022, and has been the focus of attention both in the state and across the country.
The Michigan agriculture department currently considers eight cases to be active: the two in Monroe County along with two in Ottawa County and one each in Alpena, Wayne, Oakland and Missaukee counties.
Michigan residents who suspect bird flu among domestic animals are asked to contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).
Those who suspect bird flu among wild birds are asked to make a report to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at 517-336-5030.
In the meantime, Michigan agriculture officials have started testing milk samples as part of a federal surveillance program for the bird flu virus.
The U.S. has also ordered vaccine doses to target bird flu in case the outbreak spreads more among people.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it is trying to rehire bird flu experts that the agency accidentally fired as part of its efforts to cut costs based on recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
South Africa to ramp up vaccinations as foot-and-mouth disease spreads
(Reuters) - South Africa is building up vaccine stocks and expanding inoculations to fight a worsening foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the agriculture ministry said, as the country faces threats to beef supplies. Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious, viral infection of cloven-hoofed animals that may also affect other species. Flare-ups have been reported over the past several months in five of South Africa's nine provinces, with KwaZulu- Natal being the worst affected. This week, Karan Beef, which operates the country's largest feedlot and one of the world's biggest, reported an outbreak at its facility in Heidelberg, about 50 kilometres southeast of Johannesburg. The quarantine imposed on the feedlot, which slaughters about 2,000 cattle daily, could impact beef supplies. The government has ordered over 900,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines with the first batch expected to arrive next week, the agriculture ministry said in a statement late on Thursday. "These plans are not only about responding to outbreaks, but also about building permanent infrastructure to manage future risks," it said. There are growing calls by some cattle producers to declare a "state of disaster" and protect the industry from financial losses. Invoking disaster law gives the government additional powers to intervene in a crisis. The foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks have resulted in South African beef and related products being banned in markets such as China, Namibia and Zimbabwe. South Africa's livestock sector is also recovering from its worst avian flu outbreak, which destroyed a third of the national chicken flock in 2023. On Thursday, the government announced the first ever mass vaccination of poultry to prevent a repeat outbreak of high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a bird flu that spreads rapidly in an infected flock, causing a high death rate.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
Avian Influenza and Worker Safety: Understanding and Managing the H5N1 Risk
Insights informed by the IBEC webinar ' Avian Influenza and Worker Safety: Navigating the H5N1 Challenge ' held on March 27, 2025. The rise of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 strain, presents serious challenges to worker safety across several industries. From poultry farms and veterinary clinics to laboratories and wildlife agencies, anyone working in close contact with birds—or even pets that come into contact with infected animals—may be at risk of exposure. The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium ( IBEC ) brought together experts to examine the occupational health risks associated with H5N1 and to discuss strategies for protecting frontline workers. Speakers highlighted critical risk pathways, personal protective measures, mental health considerations, and lessons learned from recent research and outbreaks. Who's Most at Risk? Several job sectors are particularly vulnerable to H5N1 exposure, including: Emerging evidence shows that avian influenza can affect domestic and wild cats—sometimes fatally. Dr. Kristen Coleman of the University of Maryland School of Public Health shared research showing that 607 feline deaths linked to AIV have been recorded globally over the past decade across 18 countries and 12 species of felines. Transmission often occurs when cats consume infected birds or raw poultry products. Contaminated raw chicken feed and dairy milk have been implicated in both domestic and captive animals, including tigers. Additionally, Dr. Maggie Baldwin from the Colorado Department of Agriculture cited two recent cases in indoor-only domestic cats in Colorado, with no known exposure to infected animals. These incidents suggest new and less-understood transmission routes and reinforce the importance of vigilance even in seemingly low-risk scenarios. How to Reduce Risk: Key Strategies Protecting workers from H5N1 requires a layered, proactive approach: 1. Training and Awareness Educating employees about transmission pathways, symptoms, and protective measures is essential. This includes pet safety, as infected cats may serve as early indicators of outbreaks in the area. Basic pet-related guidance includes: If a pet tests positive, it may indicate local viral circulation. 2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) High-risk workers should be equipped with: Proper training and compliance monitoring are just as important as PPE availability. 3. Strong Biosecurity and Hygiene Protocols 4. Surveillance and Monitoring Active surveillance in bird populations—both domestic and wild—is key to early detection and response. Public-private collaboration is vital for timely data sharing and coordinated action. 5. Vaccination and Medical Monitoring Although no commercial H5N1 vaccine for humans currently exists, seasonal flu vaccination can help reduce co-infection risks. For high-risk roles, employers should consider regular health surveillance and exposure testing. 6. Designated Outbreak Coordinators For organizations in high-risk sectors, appointing an H5N1 case manager to oversee protocols and incident response can improve outbreak management and reduce confusion. Enhancing Protection Through Workplace Controls Employers should implement foundational occupational health strategies: What to Do During an Outbreak If an H5N1 outbreak occurs, rapid action is crucial: Final Thoughts Avian influenza is more than a veterinary or agricultural issue, it's a growing occupational health concern that requires a multi-sector response. Key actions include prioritizing worker training and protection, maintaining robust biosecurity, and responding swiftly and transparently during outbreaks. The threat of H5N1 will continue to evolve. Ongoing research, like that of Dr. Coleman and Dr. Baldwin, surveillance programs, and interagency collaboration will be essential to minimizing harm and safeguarding both public and occupational health. Questions? Reach out to our Health & Safety team today! Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Antea Group
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
Update on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's actions at an HPAI infected premise at a British Columbia ostrich farm
OTTAWA, ON, May 30, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada's national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. Industry has been highly supportive of the CFIA in its response to HPAI, working collaboratively to implement control measures and protect animal health. The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans. Our disease response aims to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. The CFIA's response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as "stamping-out", as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Stamping-out is the internationally recognized standard and is a primary tool to manage the spread of HPAI and mitigate risks to animal and human health as well as enable international trade. It includes steps to eliminate the virus from an infected premises, including the humane depopulation and disposal of infected animals, and disinfection of premises. There are ongoing risks to animal and human health and Canada's export market access Allowing a domestic poultry flock known to be exposed to HPAI to remain alive means a potential source of the virus persists. It increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife. CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) identified that the current HPAI infection in these ostriches is a novel reassortment not seen elsewhere in Canada. This assortment includes the D1.3 genotype, which has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio. A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient, and there have been a number of human cases in the United States, including a fatality. Stamping-out and primary control zones enable international trade as it allows Canada to contain outbreaks within a specific area, meet the requirements of zoning arrangements with trading partners, and permit Canada's poultry industry to export from disease-free regions. Continued export market access supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports. Current status of the infected premise at Universal Ostrich Farm Universal Ostrich Farm has not cooperated with the requirements set out under the Health of Animals Act including failure to report the initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA and failure to adhere to quarantine orders. Universal Ostrich Farm was issued two notices of violations with penalty, totaling $20,000. The farm also failed to undertake appropriate biosecurity risk mitigation measures such as limiting wild bird access to the ostriches, controlling water flow from the quarantine zone to other parts of the farm, or improving fencing. These actions significantly increase the risk of disease transmission and reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal health standards. Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research. CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises. Research documentation was not provided during the review of their request for exemption from the disposal order based on unique genetics or during the judicial review process. Further, the current physical facilities at their location are not suitable for controlled research activities or trials. On May 13, 2025, the Federal court dismissed both of Universal Ostrich Farm's applications for judicial review. The interlocutory injunction pausing the implementation of the disposal order was also vacated. Following the May 13 court ruling, the farm owners and supporters have been at the farm in an apparent attempt to prevent the CFIA from carrying out its operations at the infected premises. This has delayed a timely and appropriate response to the HPAI infected premises, resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans. CFIA's next steps at the infected premises Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises. The CFIA takes the responsibility to protect the health of animals and Canadians extremely seriously as we conduct these necessary disease control measures to protect public health and minimize the economic impact on Canada's poultry industry. For more detailed information on the CFIA's continued response to HPAI at this infected premises, please visit our website. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) touches the lives of all Canadians in so many positive ways. Each day, hard-working CFIA employees–including inspectors, veterinarians and scientists–inspect food for safety risks, protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's national herd and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency works tirelessly to ensure access to safe and healthy food in Canada, and support access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
