LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Dec. 17, 2024) – The Bird Flu is back in Ottawa County.
The state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced on Monday that the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a commercial poultry facility by staff from Michigan State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. It’s the first such reported case since this past May, during the height of a statewide outbreak, and the second in an Ottawa County poultry facility in the past three years.
MDARD officials refused to say which facility was affected, when the virus was detected, or in what area of the county the case occurred, only that the affected premises is currently under quarantine, and birds there will be “depopulated” to prevent disease spread. While the nationwide risk of bird flu affecting humans is low, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and no affected birds or bird products have been introduced into the commercial food chain, the public is still encouraged to observe proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs.
More information on avian influenza is available through this online link.
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