Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has been making headlines, raising concerns about its impact on both animals and humans. We’re here to answer your most common questions about bird flu, helping to keep you, your family, and our community safe.
- What is bird flu?
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.
- Have there been any cases identified in Lenawee County?
No, there have so far been zero cases identified in Lenawee County. However, both Jackson and Monroe have had detections of HPAI in either poultry or cattle.
- Why are cows getting bird flu?
While HPAI mainly affects birds, certain strains have adapted to infect mammals, including cows. Viruses constantly mutate as they replicate. The spread of HPAI to cows suggests the virus has undergone changes that allow it to infect mammalian cells more effectively.
The most likely route of transmission is through contaminated water, feed, or direct contact with infected bird droppings. Recent outbreaks in dairy cattle suggest that the virus can spread between cows, likely through milking equipment and close-contact conditions in dairy farms.
- Can humans get bird flu?
This virus typically does not affect humans, though rare cases have been reported (69 in the United States). There is no known person-to-person spread at this time, and the current public health risk is low.
Most human cases have resulted from prolonged or unprotected exposure—without gloves, respiratory protection, or eye protection—to infected birds or contaminated surfaces where their saliva, mucus, or feces were present. In rare instances, infections have been transmitted through intermediary animals, such as a cat or a cow.
The CDC has guidance for specific groups of people with exposure to poultry and other potentially infected animals, including poultry or dairy workers, for example, and people responding to bird flu outbreaks.
- Is this why egg prices are so high?
Yes it is. Outbreaks of bird flu resulted in the depopulation of 13.2 million birds in December 2024, contributing to a nationwide egg shortage.
- I have chickens, what should I be doing?
This flyer from Michigan State University Extension and Michigan Allied Poultry Industries has all the information you need to keep your birds safe in late winter, including:
- Keep all domestic poultry inside their coop.
- Avoid contact with wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl.
- Avoid contact with any other poultry farms, regardless of size.
- Stop or limit the movement of birds to and from your farm.
- Have a dedicated set of boots and clothing to use when taking care of your birds. These should not leave your farm or coop area.
- Place a footbath or boot wash at the entrance of your coop.
- Know the symptoms of bird flu and respond accordingly if you suspect avian influenza.
- I have cattle, what should I be doing?
This flyer from MDARD is a Staff Biosecurity Information and Checklist for Cattle Farms. Employees are asked to limit farm-to-farm travel and only complete essential visits. When on cattle farms, staff should use this checklist, as biosecurity is our best line of defense.
- Is it safe to eat chicken?
Yes, it is completely safe to eat chicken. 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.
- What about raw milk?
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.
This flyer can give you more information about the risks regarding the consumption of raw milk.
- Where can I find more information about HPAI?
Our website has a page for HPAI that has links to many more resources about this virus. If you have specific questions, you can always email us or call us at 517-264-5226.