Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Ottawa County Flock

Morning Agriculture Following an investigation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry facility from Ottawa County. This is the first detection of the disease in a Michigan poultry flock since May 2024 when the state managed the largest outbreak of the disease, and the second case of the virus in a commercial poultry facility from Ottawa County since the disease was first detected in Michigan in 2022. Biosecurity measures are vital in helping ensure the health of Michigan’s domestic animals as well as the health of the general public. “Slowing the spread of HPAI to protect human health is a top priority at MDARD,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Implementing on-farm biosecurity and expanding our HPAI surveillance efforts are key strategies to prevent opportunities for the virus to infect domestic animal species and potentially spread and become a more concerning human threat.”

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