Michigan Agency: Bird Flu Found in Backyard Flock

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Avian influenza has been confirmed in a yard poultry flock in Livingston County, the state Division of Agriculture and Rural Improvement stated Friday, bringing to 4 the variety of southeastern Michigan counties the place the virus has been detected.

The premise the place the chicken flu was discovered is below quarantine and the birds have been destroyed to stop additional unfold of the virus, the division stated. The flock contained about 20 birds of a number of species, it stated.

The discovering underscores the “ongoing excessive danger for the illness in Michigan,” the division stated in urging poultry homeowners “to implement each technique essential to guard their flocks.”

Hen flu can unfold in numerous methods, together with by wild birds, by way of contact with contaminated poultry, by gear, and on the clothes and sneakers of caretakers, the division stated.

“We’re strongly encouraging all flock homeowners to take steps to raised shield their poultry and assist scale back the unfold of this illness. Now’s the time for motion,” State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland stated.

The division recommends stopping contact between home and wild birds by bringing them indoors or making certain their out of doors space is absolutely enclosed, washing fingers and disinfecting gear earlier than and after dealing with birds and when shifting between completely different coops.

It additionally recommends retaining poultry feed safe to make sure no contact between the feed/feed components and wild birds or rodents.

The Michigan Division of Pure Sources stated March 24 that chicken flu had been detected in free-ranging Canada geese and tundra swans from St. Clair County, in snowy owls from Macomb County and in a mute swan from Monroe County. It has been confirmed in each business and yard flocks in 24 states.

Avian influenza doesn’t current an instantaneous public well being concern and no human circumstances have been detected within the U.S.

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