The CDC has confirmed the first severe illness in the U.S. caused by bird flu.
Bird flu, also known as Type A H5N1 influenza, is widespread in wild birds and causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows. There have been several human cases but the CDC said the current risk to public health is low.
The first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S. occurred in a person in Louisiana. The patient had been in contact with sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, according to the CDC.
Previously, illnesses in the U.S. were mild and the majority of them had been among farmworkers exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows. The Louisiana case is the first human case linked to exposure to a backyard flock.
So far this year more than 60 bird flu infections have been reported in humans across the country.
An adult in Missouri with bird flu was hospitalized, but it was for reasons beyond just the bird flu infection. Last month, Canadian officials reported that a teen was hospitalized with a severe case of bird flu.
Health officials say bird flu is still mainly an animal health issue, and the risk to the general public remains low. There’s been no documented spread of the virus from person to person.
---> Health officials say Louisiana patient is first severe bird flu case in US
Bird flu in dairy cattle
Bird flu was confirmed in U.S. dairy cattle in March and has been spreading.
According to the CDC, high levels of virus have been found in the milk of infected cows.
Around 20% of samples of pasteurized milk sold in stores were found to contain viral remnants of the virus. Government scientists report that pasteurization, or heat treatment, kills the bird flu virus in milk.
Testing milk for bird flu at Michigan dairy farms
The USDA has directed a nationwide, mandated test of milk from dairy farms.
The testing involves sampling milk from farm-level bunk tanks or milk silos at dairy processing plants, or a combination of the two. MDARD mailed dairy producers on Nov. 25, 2024, to let them know about the testing requirements.
The USDA is working to implement testing in all 50 states. Michigan, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, California, Colorado, and Oregon, were part of a first grouping of states to begin testing.
How to protect domestic birds
The Michigan DNR has offered the following steps to protect the health of birds you care for:
- Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing them indoors or ensuring their outdoor area is fully enclosed.
- Wash your hands before and after handling birds as well as when moving between different coops.
- Disinfect boots and other gear when moving between coops
- Do not share equipment or other supplies between coops or other farms.
- Clean and disinfect equipment and other supplies between uses. If it cannot be disinfected, discard it.
- Use well or municipal water as drinking water for birds.
- Keep poultry feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.
Domestic bird owners and caretakers should keep an eye out for sudden deaths in the flock, a drop in egg production, a significant decrease in water consumption, diarrhea, sneezing/coughing, or an increase in sick birds.
If you suspect birds you care for have avian influenza, you should contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).
Anyone who notices unusual or unexplained deaths among wild birds can report cases to the Michigan Department of Resources online using the Eyes in the Field app or by calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.