MDARD Encourages Animal Owners to Continue Taking Steps to Prevent HPAI as Wild Birds Migrate this Fall

Vigilance is still needed as HPAI continues to be detected in the United States

LANSING, Mich. - While highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has not been detected in Michigan's domestic animals since March 2025, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) encourages animal owners to remain vigilant and take preventative measures as wild birds that may carry the virus complete their fall migration.

"Since the current outbreak of HPAI began in February 2022, the most common cause of disease spread has been wild birds. As wild birds have started to migrate this year, the virus is already being detected in poultry from North and South Dakota," said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "With the virus continuing to circulate, owners must actively take measures to protect their animals from being exposed to wild birds and their germs. Keeping Michigan s domestic animals healthy needs to remain a priority."

In 2024, MDARD along with other state, federal, and animal health partners responded to the largest HPAI outbreak in Michigan s history. Beginning with a detection in a dairy herd in late March, the virus impacted 31 dairies, 11 commercial poultry flocks, and two backyard poultry flocks across 15 Michigan counties. There were also two cases of the disease in Michigan farm workers who were working with infected dairy cattle.

So far, in 2025, there have been two HPAI detections in commercial poultry flocks and seven detections in Michigan backyard flocks. For dairy cattle, Michigan was one of the first states to enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Milk Testing Strategy, requiring regular testing for HPAI in all of the state's licensed dairy facilities. In July 2025, Michigan achieved Stage 4 / Unaffected Status, meaning the virus is no longer being detected in the state's dairy cattle herds.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can spread in various ways from animal to animal, including through wild birds, contact with infected animals, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can affect both animals and people.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with this disease remains low. People should continue to properly handle and cook all meat and eggs to the correct internal temperature and avoid consuming raw milk.

Despite the progress being made in combatting this disease, vigilance is still needed. Generally, a trend emerges every year namely, cases are detected when the spring migration of wild birds starts, then there is a lull throughout the summer months, and cases increase again in the fall when wild birds migrate once more.

Regardless of the species, owners can protect the health of Michigan s domestic animals by:

• Preventing contact between domestic animals and wild birds.
• Limiting non-essential visitors to your farm.
• Washing your hands before and after caring for animals.
• Not sharing equipment or other supplies between farms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting clothing, footwear, and equipment worn/used around sick animals. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against avian influenza.
• Keeping feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.
• Allowing sufficient downtime between visits to poultry and dairy operations so the virus is not being carried between facilities.
• Contacting your veterinarian if there are ever any animal health-related concerns.

Reporting Possible Cases

For Domestic Animals

In Michigan, HPAI is reportable in all species of animals. If avian influenza is suspected, contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).

For Wildlife

If anyone notices what appears to be unusual or unexplained behaviors or deaths among wild birds and other wildlife, please report these cases to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through the Eyes in the Field app or by calling 517-336-5030.

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe to receive email notifications by visiting MDARD's Media Room website and clicking on the Avian Influenza link. After entering a valid email address, subscribers will receive updates and alerts regarding the status of avian influenza in Michigan whenever there are new developments to report. Additional resources can also be found at Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.

More information on avian influenza and how to protect domestic animals through biosecurity measures can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.

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