Amid rising concerns about avian influenza, officials in Michigan are urging residents to remain calm, as the current threat to the general public is minimal. State chief medical executive Dr. Natasha Bagadasarian emphasized that while the situation is noteworthy, it is not akin to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Dr. Bagadasarian, “Right now, this is most definitely not another COVID. … This is not something folks need to worry about if they are just going about their day-to-day lives.” However, she advised that certain individuals, particularly those working with affected animals, such as wildlife, poultry, and dairy cows, should exercise caution.
With California announcing a state of emergency and the CDC reporting the first severe human case of H5N1 in the U.S., here’s pertinent information for Michigan residents.
Human Cases in Michigan
To date, Michigan has reported two human cases of bird flu out of 61 cases nationwide, according to the CDC. The affected individuals were dairy farm workers from different farms, contracting the virus from sick cattle herds in May 2024. Symptoms ranged from conjunctivitis to respiratory issues.
Human cases in the U.S. are primarily concentrated in California, with 34 instances reported. Only one severe case has been noted in a Louisiana resident exposed to ill birds.
The CDC noted, “No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected,” and assessed the immediate public health risk as low.
Prevalence Among Animals
Bird flu has been identified in Michigan’s wildlife, domestic animals, and dairy cattle, as per the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Since 2022, the state has recorded 39 animal cases linked to the outbreak, affecting both backyard and commercial poultry.
The latest animal case was detected in Ottawa County on December 15, with 13 counties experiencing outbreaks. Although California has recalled raw milk due to contamination, Michigan’s pasteurized milk remains safe, affirmed by agriculture department Director Tim Boring.
Dr. Bagdasarian cautioned against raw milk consumption, stating it lacks the safety assurances of pasteurized products.
Monitoring and Prevention Efforts
Michigan is actively monitoring for bird flu through sequencing of positive influenza tests in emergency settings and wastewater surveillance. The state is also part of the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy, which involves sharing raw milk samples to assess the spread of the virus.
State agriculture officials are collaborating with dairy cooperatives and labs to test milk samples, aiming to uncover non-clinical cases and better understand the disease’s reach.
Dr. Bagdasarian noted that bird flu is persistent, with the potential for genetic evolution as it spreads across species. “This is something that influenza viruses in particular love to do,” she explained, highlighting the importance of monitoring to prevent new flu viruses from emerging.
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