Bird flu confirmed at Newaygo Co. commercial poultry farm

Katie Rosendale
·2 min read
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed the presence of avian influenza at a Newaygo County commercial poultry farm.

It’s the seventh time that highly pathogenic avian influenza has been found at a commercial facility in Michigan since 2022, MDARD said Tuesday.

The department says the Newaygo County facility is under quarantine and the birds will be depopulated so the disease doesn’t spread.

Avian flu confirmed in dairy herds across 3 more West Michigan counties

In late March, MDARD announced bird flu had been found in a Montcalm County dairy herd. The department later confirmed the presence of avian flu in three more dairy herds, located in Ionia, Isabella and Ottawa counties, as well as a commercial poultry farm in Ionia County.

“MDARD continues to thoroughly and robustly respond to the detection of HPAI with an all-hands-on-deck approach with our federal, state, and local partners,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring in a statement. “Biosecurity remains the best tool available to combat HPAI, and we continue to encourage producers of all sizes to enhance their biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of introducing this disease to their farm.”

Bird flu found at commercial poultry farm in Ionia County

Producers are asked to protect their animals from wild birds as they complete their spring migration.

“As wild birds continue to migrate and the outside temperatures remain cool and temperate, conditions are ideal for the virus to spread,” State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a news release. “This is why it is so vital for producers to assess the risks on their premises and tighten protocols.”

MDARD: Avian flu found in Montcalm Co. dairy herd

MDARD says avian flu can be spread directly, by infected animals, or indirectly, through exposed items like equipment, feed and clothing. Producers are asked to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds, wash their hands before and after handling birds, disinfect boots and other supplies, not share equipment between coops or farms, give birds well or municipal water to drink and ensure that wild animals can’t access poultry feed.

Those who suspect avian flu in their domestic animals are asked to call MDARD immediately at 800.292.3939 during the day or 517.373.0440 after hours.

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