The bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has become a growing concern in Michigan and across the United States. In Ohio, more than 3 million chickens and turkeys have already been slaughtered in response to the outbreak.
The disease is affecting everything from summer livestock contests in Michigan to skyrocketing egg prices, leaving both farmers and consumers worried.
While this is not the first time avian flu has hit, this time, the outbreak is particularly alarming due to its rapid spread across species and states.
Experts point out that while avian influenza viruses often circulate in wild birds without causing harm, things change when these wild birds come into contact with domestic poultry.
Dr Kimberly Dodd, a veterinary expert, explains that this current strain is unusual because it has caused high mortality rates in wild birds, particularly waterfowl, and has now spread to mammals, including cows, cats, and even humans.
In Michigan, the first confirmed case of the bird flu in domestic poultry appeared in late 2021, and by 2024, it had spread to dairy cattle. The virus has also reached 15 other U.S. states, with California being the most recent.
The virus is primarily linked to the migration of wild birds, which travel across flyways from north to south, passing through Michigan. The flu’s spread is alarming because it is evolving rapidly, potentially gaining new mutations that allow it to spread more quickly or even become deadlier.
Dr. Dodd notes that the virus has two different versions: one primarily found in wild birds and poultry, and the other affecting poultry and cattle. Researchers are working hard to track these mutations and prevent further spread to humans, but the situation remains fluid.
Despite the large-scale testing and response efforts from labs like the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL), which has conducted over 35,000 tests, there is no vaccine for the bird flu in animals.
To control its spread, infected poultry are humanely euthanized, and the environment is disinfected. However, this process has led to an increase in egg prices, which are now more than double what they used to be. The long process of disposing of infected animals and disinfecting farms means that this problem could persist for months.
In addition to affecting poultry, the bird flu has spread to various mammals, including wild carnivores and domestic cats. Experts warn that humans can contribute to the spread of the virus by transporting it on their clothing or footwear after coming into contact with infected areas.
This makes it crucial for people to avoid handling sick or dead wild birds and to disinfect anything that might come into contact with potentially infected animals.
Zoos are also facing unique challenges. At the Lincoln Park Zoo, a flamingo and a seal died after contracting the virus. In Vietnam, the bird flu killed 47 tigers at a zoo.
With endangered and rare species at risk, zoos are taking preventive measures such as moving birds indoors during the winter to avoid exposure to wild birds and using mesh to keep out infected animals.
The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s next? While the risk to humans remains low, experts like Dr Dodd stress the importance of continuing to monitor and test the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control is working on a vaccine, but until then, both animal and human health officials will need to keep working together to stop the virus from spreading further.
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