MDHHS: Avian flu found in Michigan farmworker
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been found in a Michigan resident, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.
According to MDHHS, the person diagnosed with influenza A (H5) worked on a farm and was regularly exposed to infected livestock. The person had minor symptoms and has recovered, the department says. It did not release any further details about the person or the farm.
3 more Michigan dairy herds test positive for bird flu
Since 2022, MDHHS says there have been two other human cases in the United States linked to bird and dairy exposure: one in Texas this year and the other in Colorado in 2022.
The Michigan case seems to be “a sporadic infection with no associated ongoing spread person-to-person,” according to the department.
“Michigan has led a swift public health response, and we have been tracking this situation closely since influenza A (H5N1) was detected in poultry and dairy herds in Michigan. Farmworkers who have been exposed to impacted animals have been asked to report even mild symptoms, and testing for the virus has been made available,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, in a statement. “The current health risk to the general public remains low. This virus is being closely monitored, and we have not seen signs of sustained human-to-human transmission at this point. This is exactly how public health is meant to work, in early detection and monitoring of new and emerging illnesses.”
Bird flu is spreading, but should you be worried?
This spring, bird flu has been found in several dairy herds and poultry farms across Michigan.
At the beginning of the month, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring issued a “Determination of Extraordinary Emergency” order, requiring dairy farms and commercial poultry farms to take extra steps to combat avian flu.
MDARD issues emergency order amid bird flu ‘outbreak’
“Since the first detection of influenza A (H5N1) in dairy cattle on March 29, Michigan has prioritized both the animal and human health aspects of this disease outbreak,” Boring stated Wednesday. “Today’s news underscores the continued importance of limiting nonessential farm visits, including farm tours and field trips, as well as the use of personal protective equipment when working with livestock.”
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