NEWS RELEASE
CHIPPEWA LUCE MACKINAC CONSERVATION District
**********************
What is HPAI?
If you are involved in the agricultural community, you have probably seen a lot about HPAI, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. As the name suggests, HPAI is a form of Influenza A that readily spreads among bird species, including poultry like chickens, turkeys, etc. This virus is often fatal for poultry and is able to decimate whole flocks in days. Some symptoms in poultry include, but are not limited to, a drop in egg production, coughing, and sneezing. HPAI was also detected in dairy cattle in Michigan. Fortunately, the current data suggests that it is rarely fatal in dairy cattle, only causing mild symptoms and decreased milk supply.
How can HPAI spread?
In a farm setting, animals can get HPAI directly through an infected wild bird or other infected animal. However, it is not the only way. HPAI can also spread to flocks or herds through other infected members of their group. Additionally, HPAI can spread from contaminated items. For instance, a shovel used to scoop multiple coops could spread HPAI between the coops, even if the animals never come into physical contact. This is especially risky if the items are being used on multiple farms. Humans can also spread HPAI through their actions. Clothes, shoes, unwashed hands, etc, that come into contact with herds, flocks, animal housing, or other livestock areas, can spread it between animals.
How can you keep it off your farm?
There are many ways to protect your farm from HPAI. Here are a few:
- Limit the number of people on and off your farm
- Since humans can spread HPAI through actions, reducing the number of guests on your farm will reduce the risk of a guest bringing HPAI from their own farm or another farm they visited that day. Additionally, traveling to another farm, then returning to your own poses the same risk. If you have guests, have them wear disposable boot covers or sanitized rubber boots, wash their hands, wear clean clothes, etc.
- Disinfect equipment when using them for multiple purposes.
- When using shovels, tractors, or other gear in multiple places on the farm, like in multiple coops, disinfect the object with a product known to kill HPAI. A list can be found here.
- Reduce the risk of contact with wild birds by keeping poultry inside, or in an enclosed area.
Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list and is based on current recommendations set forth by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
Michigan dairy and commercial poultry operations are under an emergency order with (MDARD) and must follow specific biosecurity measures. You can learn more at the website below.
You can learn about the emergency order, HPAI, the current data/detections, and current recommendations here.
*********************
