LANSING, MICH. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced the second detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock in Michigan and in Muskegon County since the disease first reached the state in 2022.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed an HPAI case at a commercial poultry facility in Muskegon County on Dec. 19.

“While this latest detection is unfortunate, it is not unexpected as wild birds are still present on the landscape with the mild winter temperatures,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland. “Direct or indirect contact with infected wild birds have been the point of infection for many of the HPAI-positive flocks in Michigan. The best strategy any bird owner has against this disease is prevention. It is essential to continue taking preventative measures to protect flocks from wild birds and the germs they could be carrying.”

MDARD is working with local, state and federal partners to swiftly respond to reports of sick or dead domestic birds in an effort to mitigate the spread of HPAI.

“Michigan’s poultry farmers provide the best care for their animals by maintaining among the highest levels of biosecurity in the industry,” said Nancy Barr, executive director of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries. “However, HPAI can be extremely contagious and despite their best efforts, this virus finds its way to the birds. Events like this are every poultry farmer’s worst fear. We are grateful for the partnership of our farmers, the assistance of MDARD as well as the USDA to rapidly respond to this event, helping to protect other flocks and stop the spread.”

In the past 30 days, over 60 commercial flocks have been affected, with 11.8 million birds culled, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Contributing significantly to that number, an outbreak was reported Dec. 13 in Merced County, Calif. The disease affected 1.4 million birds in a commercial table egg laying flock.

The largest reported case to date in December occurred in Hardin County, Ohio. According to APHIS, 2.6 million birds from a commercial table egg laying flock were affected by HPAI on Dec. 7.