Michigan Officials Update Lawmakers on Efforts to Control Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy and Poultry Farms
Source: The DairyNews
As a new strain of bird flu spreads through Michigan, state officials provided lawmakers with an update on containment efforts. State agriculture leaders reported ongoing investigations into the transmission of the flu among dairy and poultry farms.
The new strain was first detected in Michigan dairy cows in April. Since then, 11 other states have reported cases of the disease in their cattle. Bird flu has been identified in 11 counties in central and western Michigan, with Isabella County reporting its first case in April, Ingham County in May, and Clinton County most recently on June 7.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified two human cases of bird flu in Michigan, both involving farm workers with direct exposure to infected cows.
During a committee meeting on Wednesday, Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), informed lawmakers of ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal officials to test and treat livestock and farmers. Boring emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the outbreak, stating, “There’s still so much we don’t know. We need to operate under the auspice that every farm is positive.”
Dr. Nora Wineland, Michigan’s State Veterinarian, noted that some affected farms were not accepting cattle at the time of their outbreak, suggesting the virus might be spreading through shared workers or equipment. “There has not been the proverbial smoking gun that’s been able to be detected on any of these farms,” Dr. Wineland said.
The economic impact of the outbreak remains uncertain. Michigan’s dairy industry, valued at $15.7 billion annually, and its $8.5 billion poultry sector could face significant repercussions. Dr. Wineland explained that infected cattle often show reduced milk production, with some never returning to previous levels and others being culled.
The Michigan Allied Poultry Industries criticized the state's response in a letter to lawmakers, noting that nearly 30 percent of infected herds in 12 states are in Michigan. They urged the state to quarantine affected dairy herds for 30 days and limit animal and product movement on farms.
Boring assured lawmakers that over 200 MDARD staff members are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to depopulate infected flocks and herds, disinfect facilities, and resume operations swiftly. New biosecurity measures are being developed to improve record-keeping, designate secure farm areas, and establish cleaning and disinfection best practices.
“We’re working with dairy farmers to prioritize the most important actions first. As we learn more every day, we’ll continue to improve and provide further guidance and recommendations,” Boring said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified two human cases of bird flu in Michigan, both involving farm workers with direct exposure to infected cows.
During a committee meeting on Wednesday, Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), informed lawmakers of ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal officials to test and treat livestock and farmers. Boring emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the outbreak, stating, “There’s still so much we don’t know. We need to operate under the auspice that every farm is positive.”
Dr. Nora Wineland, Michigan’s State Veterinarian, noted that some affected farms were not accepting cattle at the time of their outbreak, suggesting the virus might be spreading through shared workers or equipment. “There has not been the proverbial smoking gun that’s been able to be detected on any of these farms,” Dr. Wineland said.
The economic impact of the outbreak remains uncertain. Michigan’s dairy industry, valued at $15.7 billion annually, and its $8.5 billion poultry sector could face significant repercussions. Dr. Wineland explained that infected cattle often show reduced milk production, with some never returning to previous levels and others being culled.
The Michigan Allied Poultry Industries criticized the state's response in a letter to lawmakers, noting that nearly 30 percent of infected herds in 12 states are in Michigan. They urged the state to quarantine affected dairy herds for 30 days and limit animal and product movement on farms.
Boring assured lawmakers that over 200 MDARD staff members are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to depopulate infected flocks and herds, disinfect facilities, and resume operations swiftly. New biosecurity measures are being developed to improve record-keeping, designate secure farm areas, and establish cleaning and disinfection best practices.
“We’re working with dairy farmers to prioritize the most important actions first. As we learn more every day, we’ll continue to improve and provide further guidance and recommendations,” Boring said.
