By Andi Anderson
Michigan is reporting an increase in bird flu activity as officials work to manage outbreaks across commercial poultry farms and backyard flocks. According to state agriculture leaders, the current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) spread appears similar to what Michigan usually faces during late fall and early winter. This seasonal pattern offers some reassurance after last year’s severe outbreak caused major losses for poultry producers.
As of now, the state is monitoring 12 active outbreaks. Eight of these are occurring in commercial poultry operations, mostly on the west side of Michigan, where larger farms are more common. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is also overseeing four backyard flock outbreaks, including two in Southeast Michigan. These cases highlight that both large and small flocks remain vulnerable during peak transmission periods.
“This tracks generally with what we see in the late fall and early winter,” said director Tim Boring. “Eight is a little more than what we see — but in these cases we see are spread by wild migratory birds.” Their presence in Michigan during colder months increases the risk of farm-to-farm spread.
However, the broader concerns around bird flu remain significant. A mutated strain in 2024 moved beyond poultry and infected dairy herds, sickening cows and leading to the death of a worker. While this year’s cases are following expected patterns, officials are keeping a close watch to make sure no similar developments emerge. Protecting livestock, farm workers, and communities remains a top priority.
Producers are encouraged to strengthen biosecurity, limit flock exposure to wild birds, and report any unusual bird health symptoms immediately. With careful monitoring and preventive steps, the state aims to limit the impact of the virus as the season progresses.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-suriyasilsaksom
Categories: Michigan, Livestock, Poultry